Indian nuclear power plant frightens Sri Lanka

An Indian nuclear power plant prompts Sri Lanka to take an unusual move.

India is being asked by Sri Lanka to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on nuclear disaster management to avert the dangers posed by India’s nuclear plants close to northern Sri Lanka.

As a result of protests by anti-nuclear activists, India has agreed to implement a disaster management programme and train people within 30 kilometres of the Koodankulum nuclear power plant to protect them in the event of a nuclear disaster. Sri Lanka wants an MoU along roughly the same lines.

Sri Lanka’s Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the MoU is necessary in case there is a nuclear accident in Koodankulum, or in any other nuclear plan that may affect northern Sri Lanka.

The controversial Koodankulum nuclear plant in located in Tamil Nadu state is and in the event of a nuclear disaster, there are fears that northern Sri Lanka might be affected.

Koodankulum should begin generating electricity this June.

“We have pointed out this to India and we are in the process of monitoring the radiation levels in the area,” Ranawaka said.