Spokesman of the Disaster Management Center (DMC) Pradeep Kodippili has asked the public to remain calm as there is no threat of a tsunami in the coastal areas. A panic had occurred in areas such as Beruwala when false news of a possible tsunami had spread among the public. Reporters in the area said parents had rushed to schools to collect their children sitting for the A’level examinations as a result.
Kodippili however said there is no such threat and no earthquake was reported. However, the panic may have spread due to a tsunami drill being conducted in the Batticaloa and Trincomalee district. Communiques of the drill about a hypothetical tsunami situation had been shared over WhatsApp groups causing people to believe it was a real tsunami situation and panic.
