SRI LANKA: SIT-REP ON THE TSUNAMI WATCH

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001262 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC AEMR PREL PHUM CE SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: SIT-REP ON THE TSUNAMI WATCH ¶1. Following local and international media reports of a tsunami watch issued by the Pacific Center, Embassy issued SIPDIS the following warden message at 6:17 p.m. local time: "7.9 earthquake reported in Indonesia. Tsunami watch issued for the Indian Ocean, including Sri Lanka. People in coastal areas should monitor local media. Embassy will send a subsequent report if we learn new information." ¶2. The Sri Lanka Disaster Management Center subsequently advised all people living in the North, South and East coastal areas to move away from the coasts. As a result, Embassy issued a second warden message at 6:32 p.m. stating: "Local reported SRL Met Dep say if there is a tsunami, it may reach Sri Lanka between 8-8:30. They say people living in coastal areas advised to evacuate." ¶3. Ambassador also contacted Presidential Secretary (NSA equivalent) Lalith Weeratunga who was not aware of the tsunami watch, but appreciated the call. USAID is seeking to SIPDIS contact the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Center to discuss its efforts to warn people of the potential danger and ascertain what further measures may be required. ¶4. All Embassy personnel have been accounted for. Embassy will hold an Emergency Action Committee meeting at 7:00 p.m. local time. BLAKE