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Talks on nuclear issues soon: SL envoy

11 April 2012 03:27 am - 13     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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India and Sri Lanka were engaged bilaterally in nuclear technology-related issues High Commissioners of both countries stationed in New Delhi and Colombo have confirmed. There was no move to take nuclear safety of any other issue to any international forum, they added.

“Discussion on the technical level issues will commence soon,” Prasad Kariyawasam, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, told The Hindu over phone from New Delhi, when asked about Sri Lanka’s stand on the issue. The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, based in Colombo, Ashok K.Kantha, told The Hindu that a bilateral process was already on, and all the issues, including that of nuclear safety, was being discussed. Appropriate steps will be taken, within the framework of the guidelines provided, he added.

Mr.Kariyawasam said that because of the protests in Kudankulam people in Sri Lanka too had become aware of the issue. These concerns were aired in the bilateral forum, he added. Nuclear safety will be one of the issues discussed in the forum, he added.

Minister takes up issue

The issue came to the fore after the Indian media picked up a comment made by a Sri Lankan Minister over the Indian nuclear power plant at Kudankulam. Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka said that his government will raise the issue at the IAEA meet in September, the Sri Lankan media reported on Sunday.

Mr. Ranawaka, looking for relevance in Sri Lanka’s polity has raised the issue which was initially raised by some of Sri Lanka’s academics a few years ago. Extreme anti-India voices in the ruling UPFA, including Wimal Weerawansa, another India-baiting Minister, have refrained from raising the issue.

Mr.Ranawaka, who is part of the UPFA alliance, and belongs to the Jathika Hela Urumaya party led by Buddhist monks, has been trying to occupy the far-right space in Sri Lankan polity. The party, formed in 2004, is Sinhala nationalist, and has been looking to expand its support base. Sri Lanka has more than 90 Ministers in the rank of Cabinet Ministers, Senior Ministers and Deputy Ministers. For all practical purposes, all major decisions rest with the executive presidency. (The Hindu)

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  Comments - 13

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  • Jeevan Wednesday, 11 April 2012 05:42 AM

    The last paragraph is convincing to India!

    Although nuclear safety is not just a domestic issue, even when countries with very high level technological capabilities take steps to close nuclear plants, there is a way of handling the issues diplomatically. Only few ministers in the SL government, including MR, has that talent. Most of our ministers don't have connection between their mouth and the brain. SL will have to spend on correcting this issue, than spending on wooing other countries after committing loose mouths!

    lal Wednesday, 11 April 2012 05:50 AM

    Sri Lanka should tell the Indians that a Nuclear power plant at Sri Lanka's doorstep is a serious concern to all Sri Lankans. An advanced industrial nation Japan experienced a serious incident with a nuclear plant last year, The possibilty of an accident is very high given India is a backward nation industrially, politically and economically. They are used to man made disasters like Bopal, frequent rail road accidents, famines but are expectations are higher.

    Lankeshwara Wednesday, 11 April 2012 06:43 AM

    In case of an accident or natural disaster like in Japan, Sri Lankans live in Jaffna will be among the very first victims, but not limited to. So, in this case what would be the position of Tamil Nadu's sympathy?

    kumar Wednesday, 11 April 2012 06:45 AM

    So Sri Lanka is a forward country industrially, politically and economically?. If India is backward country Industrially then why are we continued to buy vehicles from India for long time? We can tell other country as a backward country if we could produce at least a bicycle ?

    Findu Wednesday, 11 April 2012 07:08 AM

    Jeevan, Kale findhu bon!

    Amila. G Wednesday, 11 April 2012 08:13 AM

    Here we go again , Some body is there to bug us , After a thirty year menace, now it`s Nuclear

    Shifan Wednesday, 11 April 2012 07:45 AM

    Why don't we build one in Jaffna?

    ravi Wednesday, 11 April 2012 07:50 AM

    It's Sri Lanka is part of India..

    buffaloa citizen Wednesday, 11 April 2012 08:24 AM

    I hope you will get back to the tree where you climbed down from and read more about India on it status in Industry, Political ethics and economy. They would not be a member of BRIC if they were not their already. Typical Sri Lankan knowledge level.

    lankan Wednesday, 11 April 2012 01:01 PM

    normally indians are very cruel & no common sense..!

    DeSelva Wednesday, 11 April 2012 02:30 PM

    wow we are now discussing Nuclear ...............what an advance we have made

    Nodrog Thursday, 12 April 2012 02:41 AM

    Buffaloa C, but if he goes up the tree he will meet you there.

    Simon Perera Friday, 13 April 2012 05:44 PM

    Reply to Jeevan. What nonsense, only Germany has decided to phase out nuclear power plants. 30 countries use nuclear power and 63 new nuclear plants are under construction in addition to the 350 plants in operation. How many people died at Fukushima, zero. How many people die in auto accidents in Sri Lanka, 2000 per year. How many worldwide 1.2 million per year. Why not ban the use of automobiles.


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