Indian nuclear plants worry Sri Lanka

Colombo, Jun 24: Concerned about nuclear power plants in its neighbouring country India, Sri Lanka has decided to set up a body that will monitor any possible nuclear threats to the country leading to nuclear accidents, reported

news agency, China.

The planting of Atomic Energy Regulatory Council has been okayed by the Sri Lankan cabinet.

"Since Sri Lanka is in close proximity to the nuclear power stations in south India, it has been found necessary to establish an independent regulatory arm in keeping with the advice given by the International Atomic Energy Agency," said the statement.

The recent nuclear disaster in Japan has left the country worrying about the possible nuclear threat it could face if such catastrophe occurs in Southern India.

" The Sri Lankan government is to replace the existing Atomic Energy Act in order to introduce nuclear power generation technology in Sri Lanka and to address the security concerns of radioactive sources," said the statement.

A permission will be sought from opposition and government bodies to set up the Atomic Energy Regulatory Council.

In the 54th General Conference, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that was held in Vienna in 2010, Minister Ranawaka had said that the Atomic Energy Authority Act No 19 was being upgraded by the government to meet the needs for both present and future in the area of nuclear safety, nuclear security, nuclear power generation, environmental protection, nuclear terrorism.

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