Minister calls for Indo-Lanka nuclear safety pact
Chamikara WEERASINGHE
Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka on Monday stressed
the importance of India and Sri Lanka entering into a nuclear safety
pact in keeping with International Atomic Energy Agency regulations.
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Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka |
Ranawaka said this addressing a press briefing at Power and Energy
Ministry. The briefing was held sequel to the first round of talks held
between Sri Lanka and India on comprehensive nuclear co-operation in New
Delhi. He also said his Ministry has placed action to position Sri
Lanka's Atomic Energy Authority as one of the most competitive
institutions in the international sphere by 2015.
Ranawaka said the first round of Sri Lanka -India nuke talks ended
with both parties agreeing to work on a nuclear safety programme. The
talks were held between representatives from Sri Lanka's Atomic Energy
Authority and Power and Energy Ministry and representatives from India's
Atomic Energy Department and External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretary
Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
He also indicated the possibility of Sri Lanka and India entering
into a bilateral agreement on civil nuclear co-operation in terms of
mutual nuclear safety of the two countries over the commissioning of the
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, India.
Minister Ranawaka said he had apprised the Indian government of the
need to enter into a proper bilateral agreement for peaceful use of
nuclear power in keeping with the guidelines and regulations of the
International Atomic Energy Agency. Ranawaka said he made Delhi aware
about this about a year ago. Speaking on Sri Lanka's nuclear safety
concerns, Ranawaka said, "Sri Lanka has a plan to strengthen its
security, nuclear security is a part of that plan."
The country has set up radiation detecting and monitoring devices in
seven strategic locations in the sea and land that can measure the
emissions of nuclear radiation. They can detect emissions of nuclear
radiations from nuclear plants , such as, India's Kudakkulam or the
Kalpakkam nuclear plants, he explained Steps will be taken in the future
to improve nuclear safety of Sri Lanka.
A separate committee will be appointed to look into matters relating
to nuclear safety of the country, he said.
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