MGIF to start in June

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Multipurpose Gamma Irradiation Facility(MGIF) of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority will be in operation in June 2013, said Multipurpose Gamma Irradiation Facility Center Senior Deputy Director Samantha Kulatunga.

Addressing the media yesterday at the Atomic Energy Authority, the Senior Deputy Director said this facility will generate new industries and job opportunities, reduce import cost, ensure food security, reduce post harvest losses and increase foreign exchange earnings, etc.

Agriculture and medical equipment manufactures, rubber gloves manufactures, exporters, patients and the general public are the beneficiaries of the project and with the establishment of this facility the AEA will be able to sterilize medical equipment and medicine, provide plant quarantine services, conduct experiments, etc.

The government has to spend large amounts to import medical equipment.With the establishment of this facility medical equipment can be reused after been sterilized.

Gamma sterilization does not significantly increase the temperature of the products and it does not leave any harmful residue.

There is no danger of radioactivity or toxicity.

As Gamma sterilization is performed after packaging of the products in the final containers and does not involve any aseptic handling. It is also a nature friendly and accurate process. The MGIF is situated at the Export Processing Zone, Biyagama. The AEA provides the technical assistance under the Technical Cooperation programme of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The estimated capital cost for the project is Rs.619 million and the operating cost, including annual replacement and upgrading of Co-60 which is 12.5 percent of initial load is Rs.70 million. So the estimated total cost is Rs.689 million.