Western Australia earthquake: No tsunami threat to Sri Lanka

There was no tsunami threat to Sri Lanka at present from the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that had hit off the West Australian Coast, the National Tsunami Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said today.

The undersea earthquake occurred at 3.39 p.m. (Australian time) on Sunday off the shore between Port Hedland and Broome, in the Indian Ocean, GeoScience Australia reported.

The National Tsunami Early Warning Centre said the coastal areas of Sri Lanka had been declared safe.

They informed the public that the announcement was made in consultation with relevant national and international agencies.

The United States Geological Survey agency said the quake hit at a depth of 33km, about 203km offshore. It reported the magnitude at 6.9.

There was also no threat of tsunami to the Australian mainland, islands or territories, the weather bureau said.