Sri Lanka has informed the 69th General Conference of the IAEA 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.
During the Conference held from 15-19 September, Sri Lanka further informed that the country has included nuclear power as an energy source within the base case of the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) Least Cost Long-Term Generation and Expansion Plan 2025-2044.
According to the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Vienna, 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. (Newswire)