[meteorite-list] Meteor Explodes Over Sri Lanka

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/June11135831JV.html

Mysterious noise creates a tense situation in Sri Lanka
Colombo Page
June 11, 2007

Colombo: A tense situation was created in some areas in the 
Gampaha and Kurunegala districts last night following a 
mysterious noise similar to an explosion.

However later it was revealed that the noise and the light 
could be from a falling meteorite of some magnitude. The 
Arthur C. Clark Center also claimed that the sound may 
have been caused by a meteorite explosion.

Police and the military confirmed there had been a loud 
sound of an explosion and a simultaneous glow in the sky 
but the cause of the noise is not known yet.

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http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/12/front/02.asp

Sunday night blast - it was a meteoroid
By Yohan Perera
Daily Mirror
June 12, 2007

A meteorite explosion in the air above Sri Lanka rocked many 
areas on Sunday night and caused panic among people who 
feared it was another bomb blast or air attack.

The Astronomy Unit of Colombo University and Arthur C. Clarke 
Centre confirmed the loud bang heard on Sunday night was a 
meteorite explosion.

According to Colombo University senior lecturer Chandana 
Jayaratne the explosion had taken place over Nattandiya and 
the size of the meteoroid was around one meter. "It had 
exploded in the air, illuminating the night sky," he said. 
Eyewitnesses confirmed they saw the night sky being 
illuminated with the explosion.

The professor said the telephone lines in Andiambalama and 
Mirigama areas had undergone disturbance at the time of the 
explosion. "This usually happens when a meteorite draws 
iron from the air," he explained.

Professor Jayaratne said this was a usual phenomenon as many 
meteorites fall throughout the year. The astronomy unit of 
the Colombo University is reported to have a large 
collection of meteorite samples collected from many parts 
of the country.

Meanwhile Arthur C. Clarke Centre said it had received from 
many areas information on the explosion and the sighting of 
a bright object streaking through the night sky. A Centre 
spokesman said a moving bright object was seen from as far 
as Hambantota. The sound of the explosion had been heard in 
Mirigama, Kuliyapitiya, Bingiriya and Kotadeniyawa, he said.

According to the spokesman there may have been a meteorite 
shower which caused several explosions. The Centre is to 
send its research teams to Nattandiya and Kuliyapitiya 
areas.