nuclear-news

We are duty-bound to protect our people from nuclear mishaps – Sri Lanka

Oct 15, 2012 04:45 pm

Whether an agreement is signed with India or not, Sri Lanka will implement a disaster management action plan in case of nuclear accidents or a radiological emergency, Minister Champika Ranwaka said following the conclusion of the first round of talks in New Delhi on civil nuclear cooperation.

Addressing a press briefing in Colombo today (15) the Minister of Power and Energy stated that the government is duty bound to protect its people and therefore “no one can question it,” as same as its India’s sovereign right to set up a nuclear plant.

The first round of talks between India and Sri Lanka on comprehensive civil nuclear cooperation was held on Friday (October12) in New Delhi.

We had informed India in May 2011 about our intention to inter a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries based on Article 09 of the 2nd Convention, on early notification of nuclear accidents, he said. 

Thereafter various informal discussions and exchanging of documents between two parties representing the countries took place while a formal discussion was held in New Delhi last week, Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

He stated that the talks included nuclear applications, technological assistance, technological transfers, capacity building of officials here as well as about the nuclear safety and response to nuclear accidents, and that India had agreed to participate in this process. 

 “Whether we sign a MoU or not we are going to implement a disaster management action plan in case of nuclear accident or radiological emergency,” the Minister asserted. 

He pointed out that this is being carried out with the help of the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA), which will provide the island with an alarm system. Champika stated that the alarm system will be installed and radiation levels will be measured along the coastal bed.

“We are duty-bound to protect our people. We are doing that so no one can question it,” he stressed.

“It is actually India’s sovereign right to put up nuclear plant to feed their energy needs, but it is our duty to protect our people.” 

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held in Sri Lanka in the first half of 2013.

http://www.tharunaya.co.uk/new_site/news/newsmoreenglish.php?id=27147

Pictures also courtesy of

http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption-story/22716-prevent-tn-nuclear-mishap-effects.html

MONDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2012 07:45

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday charged that the ‘cooked up’ story of Pakistan- aided nuclear plants in Sri Lanka was part of a major conspiracy to put the lives of Sri Lankan nuclear scientists in danger.

“This story fabricated by a group comprising Indians and Sri Lankans and an Indian media group, had twin purposes. One was to blacklist Sri Lanka internationally by creating a major suspicion on the country’s power plans. The other was to put the lives of Sri Lankan nuclear scientists in danger and get them annihilated as in the case of Iran to prevent any advancement of nuclear technology in Sri Lanka” the minister alleged.

Calling the media report on a possible Pakistan-sponsored nuclear plant in Sampur  ‘a blatant lie’ the minister said as India’s vote against Sri Lanka in Geneva failed to garner expected support except in Tamil Nadu, anti- Sri Lankan elements hatched this plot to mobilize other Indian states also against Sri Lanka to  create an anti- Sri Lankan din, internationally.

“Across the globe nuclear scientists are being targeted and killed. Sri Lanka has absolutely no plans to operate nuclear plants in the immediate future – not for the next fifteen twenty years. What we are doing right now is introducing nuclear science to various fields in order to create awareness on the subject’ Minister Ranawaka emphasized. (Duminda Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/22694-sl-nuke-scientists-under-threat-champika.html

October 15, 2012 - Posted by arclight2011 | Uncategorized