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Meteorite falls on Walasmulla garden and sets jak tree on fire
View(s):A flaming object that fell out of the night sky over Walasmulla on Thursday, December 14, setting a jak tree on fire, has for now been identified as a meteorite until investigations are completed.
The incident occurred in the village of Kapuwankandegedara, in Walasmulla South, in the Hambantota District.
Investigations are being carried out regarding reports that a meteorite had fallen in a ball of flames on a Jak tree in Walasmulla on Thursday, terrifying residents.
On Thursday night, December 14, at about 10 pm, residents hearing shouts and screams rushed to see a jak tree in flames in a neighbour’s garden. The owner of the property, P. A. Wasanthi, ran out of her house when she heard the commotion.
“When I came out of the house, I saw the tree in flames, with sparks flying from the top,” Mrs. Wasanthi said. “The fire went on for about six hours and burnt out at about four in the morning. The tree was completely burnt.”
The jak tree was about 30 feet tall. The first person to witness the fire was Mrs. B. K. Biuties, who was watching the 9.30 pm news telecast when a bright light outside caught her attention. “I ran into the garden and saw the tree in the next garden on fire. I was terrified and shouted for help. The tree was in flames. I guessed this was the result of a meteorite falling,” she told the Sunday Times.
Dr. Chandana Jayarathne, a Senior Physics Lecturer at the University of Colombo, said the chances are that the falling object was a meteorite. “This is the time of year of the Geminid meteor shower, which is visible around the world between December 4 and December 17 every year,” he said.
Dr. Jayarathne said sample particles may be sent to NASA for advanced testing. The Walasmulla Police have ordered the premises on which the meteorite fell a no-go zone for now.
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