Sri Lanka Power and Energy Ministry conducts survey to determine baseline radiation levels

Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Ministry is currently conducting a survey in the Mannar coastal area to determine the baseline radiation levels in the area. Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka told  that

the baseline survey is carried out in the coastal belt between Mannar and the Jaffna peninsula. He said that this area has been identified as the most prone to be affected by a possible disaster in any one of South India's nuclear plants. The Kudankulam nuclear plant in the state of Tamil Nadu is just 250 km from Sri Lanka's northwest coastal town of Mannar. The survey is aimed at establishing a baseline standard for local authorities to monitor the radiation levels in the area. Ranawaka explained that the area would be constantly monitored and any change in the radiation levels could therefore be observed easily. In the event of a leakage in a nuclear plant in South India, the baseline levels established by the survey would help Sri Lanka determine the impact of such a radiation leak on the country. The baseline survey is expected to take about one year to be completed. Ranawaka observed that the baseline survey is a precaution taken by Sri Lanka to prevent any nuclear disaster. The Sri Lankan government has raised concerns over the nuclear plants in South India and has already proposed to reach an agreement on nuclear disaster mitigation with the Indian government. India allaying Sri Lanka's fears yesterday said the nuclear plants in South India have high safety standards and the Indian government has a legal mechanism to deal with the trans-boundary liability issues.