Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) Senior Geophysicist Mahinda Seneviratne stated that a programme to gauge the resistance of buildings and new constructions against earth tremors is being conducted across the country. He said that the authorities are especially inspecting buildings in Colombo due to the high density of the structures. He stated this while responding to a question on the safety of buildings, especially in the wake of the most recent earthquake close to Sri Lanka which occurred on Saturday in the seas off South-East of Sri Lanka
It measured a magnitude 5.8 on the Richter scale, the GSMB said. The tremor, which occurred deep below the sea, was located 1,260 kms away from Colombo.Tremors were felt in Galle, Colombo, Akurussa and Embilipitiya.However, the Bureau stated that there has been no adverse effects from the tremor on Sri Lanka.