SL to sign two international conventions to embark on nuclear energy to meet power needs

Sri Lanka is to become a party to two major international conventions on nuclear obligations after Cabinet approval was given to consider nuclear energy as an alternative solution to meet Sri Lanka’s future energy needs, government Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, Gunawardena said a steering committee, and nine action committees, had been appointed to study electricity generation, using nuclear energy.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has recommended that Sri Lanka be part of the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, he said.

The Minister went on to say that it was possible to proceed with the nuclear power generation project, in line with International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the combined proposal, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Power and Energy, to proceed to become a party to the mentioned conventions, he said.

The Minister added that Sri Lanka would seek financial assistance to build nuclear power plants.

Earlier, Russia said it was willing to build a nuclear plant in Sri Lanka. (RK)