Sri Lanka currently explores nuclear energy, IAEA notified

Sri Lanka informed the International Atomic Energy Authority at  its General Conference in Vienna that the country is currently  exploring nuclear power as a reliable, low-carbon energy source to  diversify its energy mix and address the dual challenges of climate  change and energy security, according to a statement from the Foreign  Affairs Ministry.   

Delivering the national statement of Sri Lanka at this key  event of the IAEA calendar, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the  IAEA Ambassador M. R. K. Lenagala underscored the country’s close  engagement with the IAEA since joining the Agency in 1957, and  reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s unwavering support for the IAEA’s mission to  accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace,  health and prosperity across the globe. A briefing on the progress Sri  Lanka has made in the use of nuclear applications for peaceful uses was  provided, including the establishment of a Cyclotron based radio  pharmaceutical proton facility to support PET scanning for cancer  diagnosis on an initiative by the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board with the  regulatory approvals from the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Board,  National Medicines Regulatory Authority and Central Environmental  Authority.   

While appreciating the IAEA’s continued support and  technical guidance towards the progress of Sri Lanka’s peaceful  applications of nuclear science and technology, including through the  Technical Collaboration Projects, the Ambassador outlined several key  initiatives that Sri Lanka has undertaken to strengthen the country’s  nuclear infrastructure. Reference was made to the participation of a  high delegation led by the Speaker of the Sri Lanka Parliament earlier  this year, in a consultative meeting with the IAEA on adherence to  global nuclear security framework focused on the Physical Protection of  Nuclear Material and its Amendment (CPPNM), as well as to the SLAEB’s  hosting of four IAEA follow-up review missions to Sri Lanka, reflecting  the country’s continuous engagement with the IAEA.