Nuclear Early Warning System at naval bases

The Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) which is under the purview of the Power and Energy Ministry has taken measures to instal the Nuclear Disaster Early Warning System (NEWS) at naval bases.

Two technical experts from the manufacturing Company SAPHYMO of Germany are already in Sri Lanka for assembling, testing, installation of the equipment and to train the operating staff.

An agreement was signed by the AEA, Sri Lanka Navy and Disaster Management Ministry recently.

According to this agreement, the first four out of the eight Remote Director Stations (RDS) are to be installed at Kalpitiya, Thalaimannar, Delft Island and Kankasanthurai Naval bases. Other four RDS will be installed at Colombo, Trincomalee, Galle and Kandy districts.

The network Central Monitoring Station (CMS) will be installed at the Radiological Emergency Operation Centre located at the AEA premises.

The NEWS would assist in identifying possible nuclear accidents in neighbouring countries and provide the basis for radiological emergency response and early warning to the public through the disaster management system of the country. The AEA is in the process of training ARA staff members, Navy and Disaster Management Centre officers on the operation of the System, response procedures and decision making based on NEWS.

The NEWS is donated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the IAEA Technical Cooperation Projection the Development of National Capability to respond to radiological emergencies in Sri Lanka. (RD)