An earth tremor was experienced by people in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya districts during early hours yesterday.

Geologist H.D.N. Sanjeewa of the Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau (GMSB) said the tremor had been felt by people in Bandarawela, Badulla, Kandy, Minipe, Wattegama, Maturata, Padiyapelalla, Rikillagaskada, Hanguranketha and Welimada areas around 1.45 am yesterday, but there had been no damage.

The Transport Ministry in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has commenced a technical cooperation project to conduct a comprehensive study and formulate an urban transport master plan for the Colombo metropolitan region.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa granted approval to declare 17 jungles in seven districts as national forest reserves through a gazette notification as per the provisions of the Wildlife Act No 3.

Those declared as national forest reserves are in Mannar, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura and Colombo districts.

Dengue has claimed 55 lives. Nearly 1,500 dengue cases had been reported from all parts of the country during the past five months. The public should be vigilant about dengue mosquito breeding sites common in certain areas, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, a majority of mosquito breeding spots in the Colombo district are located in discarded receptacles.

"The most affected area is the Kalutara district is Walalawita where thousands of acres of godapara trees are located. Dengue mosquitoes breed in the leaves once they fall on to the ground.

Mayor of Colombo A. J. M. Muzammil said yesterday (30) that the floods in some parts of the city would soon be a thing of the past as the World Bank had granted US$ 180 million to upgrade the city drainage system, including the storm water system.

The Mayor told The Island that the project would be implemented in collaboration with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.

An 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia on Wednesday, sending residents around the region dashing out of their homes and offices in fear.

A tsunami watch was issued for the whole Indian Ocean.

The quake struck 308 miles (500 km) southwest of the city of Banda Aceh, on the northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island, at a depth of 20.5 miles (33 km), the U.S. Geological survey said.

Indonesia's disaster management agency said power was down in Aceh province and people were gathering on high ground as sirens warned of the danger.

Representatives from 13 countries attended the second Asia Energy Security Summit 2012, which commenced on Wednesday in Colombo.

Participants include experts in the field and sub fields of energy of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.

Speakers at the summit included energy experts and academics, policy makers, government officials and industrial stakeholders from all sections of the Energy Domain.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka who was to deliver the inaugural address, didn’t attend the seminar due to some urgent engagements.

The second Asia Energy Security Summit 2012, a Track 2 diplomacy initiative, debating Asian geopolitics, energy and infrastructure security will begin in the Sri Lankan capital city Colombo today with the participation of attendees from 13 countries.

The two-day summit from February 29 - March 01 will be held at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo.

Jorhat, Feb. 7: Tea producing countries around the world have agreed to do away with the export of inferior quality teas by sticking to the quality norms defined by the ISO 3720 standard. Tea Research Association additional vice-chairman Prabhat Bezboruah said tea producing and exporting countries have agreed to abide by the standard and print it on bulk and retail packs at the just concluded 20th session in Sri Lanka of the inter-governmental group under the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.

The Sri Lankan Cabinet of Ministers has given permission for the government to conduct negotiations with the International Bank for Reconstruction & Development (IBRB) of the World Bank to obtain US $213 million loan for the implementation of the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project.

The President, as the Minister of Finance and Planning, has submitted the proposal seeking the financial assistance.