The Department of Meteorology has confirmed that there is currently no tsunami threat to Sri Lanka following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Sumatra in Indonesia on Saturday.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 168 kilometres at around 4.24 p.m. Sri Lankan time near Medan, the capital of Indonesia’s North Sumatra province, according to the department.“There is no tsunami threat to Sri Lanka at present with the effect of the above earthquake. Therefore, the coastal areas of Sri Lanka are declared safe,” the Department of Meteorology said.

It added that the announcement was made in consultation with relevant national and international agencies.The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicentre of the earthquake was located near Pematangsiantar, approximately 126 kilometres southeast of Medan.The latest earthquake struck hours after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit off eastern Indonesia, killing at least 38 people, according to reports.