The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber advisory for a low-pressure area persisting over the Southwest Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka.

The advisory, issued at 3 p.m. today (Feb. 18) is directed at multi-day fishing vessels and the naval community.

Under the influence of the system, heavy showers or thundershowers, strong winds of 50–60 kmph and rough to very rough seas are expected in the affected sea areas.

The department said it is closely monitoring the system and urged the naval and fishing communities to remain attentive to future forecasts and bulletins. (Newswire)

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The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau says there is no impact to Sri Lanka due to the 6.6 magnitude earthquake that struck near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands early this morning (29).

Addressing the media today, Director General of the Bureau, Dr. Dipani Weerakoon, said that the earthquake had struck nearly 260 km away from Sri Lanka around 5.18 am today. 

She said that several aftershocks had also been reported following the 6.6 magnitude earthquake, while a magnitude 7 earthquake was reported close to Australia. 

Dr. Dipani Weerakoon assured that there was no threat to Sri Lanka due to the earthquakes and aftershocks.

Meanwhile, India’s National Centre for Seismology said the 6.6 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km in the Bay of Bengal, and was followed by several aftershocks. 

India’s National Centre for Seismology further said, however, no damage to life or property has been reported. (Newswire)

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A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to be signed between the Ocean University of Sri Lanka and Notre Dame University in the United States of America (US) for the implementation of a research project. 

It has been proposed to enter into an MoU between the Ocean University of Sri Lanka and Notre Dame University in the US valid for a period of 5 years from 2024 to 2028 for the implementation of a research project on Ocean and Atmospheric Science in the Bay of Bengal. 

The government states that the project is expected to facilitate the development of academic, research, undergraduate and postgraduate students’ skills in other national universities and higher education institutions including the Ocean University of Sri Lanka. 

The total cost of the project is USD 62,000 out of which USD 60,000 has been agreed to be given as a grant by Notre Dame University and Washington University in the US. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Education to sign the MoU between the Ocean University of Sri Lanka and Notre Dame University in the US for the implementation of the said project. (NewsWire)

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