Sri Lanka to explore nuclear power generation with support from Russia

• Cabinet nod to become party to the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage 

By Charumini de Silva

Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena

The Government has taken a ‘revolutionary decision’ to explore a very expensive, yet high power output and reliable – nuclear power with support from Russia to address the energy crisis in Sri Lanka. 

“This will be a historic decision and a milestone in Sri Lanka’s history to address the power crisis via nuclear energy,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.  Noting that on a previous occasion, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved exploring nuclear power as an alternative to address power generation, he said a total of nine operational and working committees were appointed to study the ability to adopt it.

“As per the independent recommendations by the committee, it has been identified that Sri Lanka can explore nuclear power generation by the International Atomic Energy Agency,” he added. 

Cabinet Co-Spokesman said it has been recognised as preferable to become a party to the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage in going forward. 

Thus a joint Cabinet paper in this regard submitted by Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry and Power and Energy Minister in this regard was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday.

When asked how feasible it is for a country like Sri Lanka which is grappling with a foreign exchange crisis to make a large initial investment and high maintenance cost, he acknowledged the cost factor and noted that the Government looks at Russia for cutting-edge nuclear technology and financial support.

“The cost is unbearable I agree, but this attempt is to explore energy efficiency and switch to other energy sources. Neighbouring giant India also has adopted nuclear energy as fossil-generated energy is very expensive and not sustainable,” Gunawardena said.