News

Strong earthquake in Indian Ocean: Tremors in Colombo and other areas

Published

1 year ago

July 2, 2023

editor

A 5.8 Richter scale magnitude earthquake yesterday hit the southeast of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, triggering widespread tremors across the country, including Colombo, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau said.

The bureau’s Acting Director General Ajith Prema told the Sunday Times that the earthquake was felt in many areas such as Colombo, Battaramulla, Pepiliyana, Galle, and Akuressa.

The earthquake took place at 12.59 p.m., some 1,200 km southeast of Hambantota.

“The earthquake took place at a depth of 10 kilometers. Therefore, there is no threat of a tsunami or impact on Sri Lanka,” he said.

Mr Prema said they were expecting aftershocks as the initial earthquake recorded a 5.8 magnitude on the Richter scale. He added they were monitoring the situation to see if there would be aftershocks and further tremors.

The acting DG said Sri Lanka had been experiencing mild earth tremors during recent times but had not experienced strong earthquakes yet.

He said yesterday’s earthquake was a strong one as it was felt by Sri Lankans who are residing 1,260 km away from the epicentre. He added that geologists and scientists believed that a new plate margin was being created in the Indian Ocean’s south and southeastern regions, extending up to Australia. Therefore they believed tremors and earthquakes took place due to this phenomenon.

(sundaytimes.lk)

News

President holds talks with ITAK MPs

Published

10 hours ago

December 4, 2024

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Parliamentarians from the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) today (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the discussion, the ITAK MPs brought to the President’s attention the longstanding challenges faced by the people in the Northern and Eastern regions.

Parliamentarians Sivagnanam Shritharan, Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, Shanmugam Kugathasan, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Gnanamuthu Srineshan, Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran, Elayathamby Srinath, and Thurairasa Raviharan also attended the meeting.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Govt. policy statement passed in Parliament sans vote

Published

10 hours ago

December 4, 2024

editor

The resolution on the Statement of the Government Policy presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament on November 21 was passed unanimously in Parliament today (Dec. 04) without a vote.

The debate on the Statement of the Government Policy was held as a two-day debate from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm yesterday (Dec. 03) and from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm today.

BIZ

W.M. Mendis’ liquor manufacturing license to be suspended

Published

10 hours ago

December 4, 2024

editor

The liquor manufacturing license issued to W.M. Mendis & Co. Limited will be suspended from tomorrow (December 5) due to their failure to pay Rs. 5.7 billion in excise taxes and surcharges, the Excise department said.

Accordingly, as per the provisions Excise Ordinance Act, the Commissioner General of Excise has ordered to suspend the liquor manufacturing license issued to W.M. Mendis & Co. Limited effective from tomorrow.

The department further stated that measures have been taken to suspend the liquor manufacturing process from tomorrow (December 5) and to not renew the other licenses issued to the company from December 31 onwards if the company continues non-payment of tax arrears and surcharges.