Russia still open for nuke cooperation with Sri Lanka, but won’t force: Ambassador

• Nuclear power has been proposed under both the previous and current governments

By Kelum Bandara   

Russia remains open for cooperation with Sri Lanka in the  development of nuclear energy, but will not impose anything in this  regard since it is the sovereign right of the country, Russian  Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan said.  

In response to a question during an interaction with the  press, the Ambassador on Thursday said he is seeking a meeting with  the Sri Lankan Energy Minister to discuss the proposal for the setting  up of a nuclear power plant.   

“The ball is in your court, as I always say,” he said.   

Sri Lanka has proposed nuclear power in its energy mix, both  under the previous and current governments. The previous government  even proposed to build three nuclear plants of 900 megawatts. Earlier, he put forward the idea during his visit last  year, when he met the Energy Minister and senior Foreign Ministry  officials of the last government after prior consultations with top  executives of Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear agency.  

It was a concept that involved setting up a small nuclear  power facility with an initial capacity of 110 megawatts—two units of 55  megawatts each—while leaving open the option of expanding to as many as  six units, depending on demand.   

Commenting on the Russia-Ukraine war, he said Russia  appreciates Sri Lanka’s neutral position despite pressure from the  Western powers. The Ambassador said that no force could defeat  Russia in this war.