A number of minor earth tremors have been reported around Victoria Reservoir in recent times.
The Ministry of Environment had appointed an intellectual committee to study these minor earth tremors. The committee submitted the report and has recommended taking immediate action to protect Victoria Reservoir dam and its surroundings.
There were several limestone quarries in the area. The report also pointed out that the shocks caused by the explosions at the excavations also caused the internal limestone layers to collapse.
Therefore, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau decided that immediate action should be taken to remove all limestone quarries located within 100 meters of the Victoria Dam overflow level.
Accordingly, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has taken steps to suspend the excavation permits of three large scale limestone quarries and minor excavations within 100 meters of the Victoria Reservoir Dam. Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Anil Jasinghe inquired from the Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau in this regard.
The Secretary of the Ministry then inquired as to whether the permits had been re-issued to other persons and the Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau confirmed that no excavation permits had been issued to any person within 100 meters of the Victoria Dam overflow level or that there were no other excavation sites within that limit in this time.
However, Dr. Anil Jasinghe instructed the Chairman to monitor these activities on a regular basis.
These facts were revealed during a discussion held Thursday afternoon (23) regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee on Seismic Conditions, the Environment ministry media unit said.
