Five-year plan to strengthen nuclear power in SL

Nethali STRUYS

The government is looking forward to implementing a five - year plan to strengthen all sections in the country with nuclear power, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Minister Ranawaka

The Atomic Energy Authority Act of 1969 has been replaced to facilitate this. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Council will address security matters and conserving radioactive sources and substances. The work is being guided by the International Atomic Energy Agency, he said.

The minister pointed out that Sri Lanka's Atomic Energy Authority was established to develop and regulate nuclear power in the country. "But developing and regulating are two different functions clashing with each other. As such, an Atomic Energy Regulatory Council is to be established as a separate and independent body under the Atomic Energy Authority to act on environmental damage caused due to nuclear power," Ranawaka said.

Since Sri Lanka is close to nuclear power stations in South India, it has been found necessary to establish an independent regulatory arm to act on the advice given by the International Atomic Energy Agency," the minister said.

He said that plans have been made to setup a National Centre for Non Destructive Testing (NCNDT) in Kelaniya. "By this technology roads, bridges and buildings can be scanned to check on fractures". He said that the southern highway was built using this technology.

A Gamma Irradiation Technology Centre is all to be set up at Biyagama. Ranawaka added that Isotope Hydrology Technology which is used to detect leaks underground is also to be introduced to the country.