Another five NEWS for Naval bases

The Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) which is under the purview of the Power and Energy Ministry is to install another five Nuclear Disaster Early Warning Systems (NEWS) at naval bases.

The AEA has purchased eight Nuclear Disaster Early Warning Systems from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)at a cost of Rs.12 million. 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 out of the eight Remote Director Stations (RDS) have been already installed at AEA Headquarters,Puttalam, Thalaimannar, Delft Island and Kankasanthurai Naval bases. Others will be installed at Colombo, Trincomalee, Galle and Kandy districts,AEA chairman Dr.Ranjith Wijayawardena said.

The main monitoring system is connecting with these early warning systems through a telephone connection and it works throughout the day. It can take immediate action to prevent from disasters including radiation disasters. 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 nuclear power stations in Kudankulam, India is to commence operation in September and AEA Senior Scientific Officer Anuruddha Jayalath stated that these early warning systems will help to identify nuclear accidents which could occur in Sri Lanka.

(RD)