“Nuclear power plants to meet the increasing electricity demand: A right of the country” says minister of power and energy”

Isotope technology can be used to study the effect of climate changes on marine system

Fossil fuel associated climate changes turn many countries towards nuclear energy

International reports have revealed that the world energy demand is met using mainly fossil fuels
like coal and mineral oils. This has resulted in drastic changes of the world climate, increasing the risk
of environmental issues. Therefore since 1990 s’ many countries have started considering the use of
nuclear energy in place of fossil fuels, but the recent incident in the Fukushima nuclear power plant
raised many questions all over the world. With this, the pluses and minuses of nuclear technology have
been discussed over and over. However any country has a democratic right to use nuclear energy to
meet the increasing energy demand and our neighbouring country India has already established 07
nuclear power plants including Kudankulam. If Sri Lanka steps forward to establish a nuclear power
plant in the future no other country can stand against our decision, says Minister Patali Champika
Ranawaka. The minister further said that any country has a fair responsibility to build nuclear power
plants following the international standards and regulations.

He also said that all necessary procedures to protect Sri Lanka from radiation effects generated in
other countries within the zone have already been initiated by the government and the Atomic Energy
Authority. Bilateral and multilateral discussions on radiation protection have been taking place with the
countries in the zone including India. Active radiation detection methods are available and functioning
smoothly in Sri Lanka at present.

Minister expressed these ideas at an awareness seminar held on 21st November, discussing the
proposed implementation plan for using isotope technology to study the effect of climate changes on
marine systems in Sri Lanka. Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka,
Rajitha Senaratne also participated at the event. Atomic Energy Authority, National Aquatic Resources
Research & Development Agency (NARA) and Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) are
working together in implementing this plan.

The first field trip under this program will be conducted on 23rd November close to the Negambo estuary
to collect information on marine system around Sri Lanka. Atomic Energy Authority plans to study the
history of mangrove populations during this time. The faculty of fisheries and marine sciences and
technology of the University of Ruhuna will be also assisting the program. The Colombo and Mount
Lavinia areas will be covered on 26th. The program will be conducted under the guidance of two
specialized professors from Australian and French universities who were assigned by the International
Atomic Energy Agency.