Colombo skyscrapers are built to withstand earthquakes : Seismologist

• all the modern skyscrapers which are being built presently and those that had been erected in the recent past have been constructed using the structural technology to withstand a moderate level earthquake
• It is an international construction standard requirement, which is now followed in Sri Lanka too and even in the most unlikely instance of an earthquake hitting the city, the Colombo skyscrapers are safe from it

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Although Sri Lanka is not typically considered a high-seismic zone, the mushrooming skyscrapers in Colombo are safe from any unexpected earthquake, as they are built using such structural technology, a seismologist said.   
With the recent Myanmar and Thailand earthquake which claimed over 1,600 lives thus far mostly due to collapsing skyscrapers, doubts among the public were not small when it comes to an unexpected catastrophe in a country of a low seismic zone.   
An official from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) told the Daily Mirror the highest Sri Lanka has experienced are tremors of about 3.5 magnitudes, which could barely cause any impact or damage.   
However, all the modern skyscrapers which are being built presently and those that had been erected in the recent past have been constructed using the structural technology to withstand a moderate level earthquake.   
GSMB Seismologist Nilmini Thaldena told the Daily Mirror both the international and local mega building contractors now consider applying earthquake resistant technology in their buildings irrespective of the fact that the country is in a low risk region.   
More than 20 sky-rise buildings built in the last decade including Colombo City Centre Residences to Altair, One Galle Face residential towers to ITC Colombo One towers, Grand Hyatt to Tri-Zen towers and not forgetting the tallest Lotus Tower have been constructed with a structural technology to not only face any storms or hurricanes but earthquakes.  
The constructors use ‘base isolation’ method in designing a building, which is a seismic-resistance technique, where a structure is separated from its foundation using bearings or pads to reduce earthquake damage by absorbing and dissipating energy.
It is an international construction standard requirement, which is now followed in Sri Lanka too and even in the most unlikely instance of an earthquake hitting the city, the Colombo skyscrapers are safe from it, the Seismologist said.