Sri Lanka to set up body to monitor N-radiation from India

The cabinet approved the setting up of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Council, Xinhua reported Thursday quoting a government statement.

"Since Sri Lanka is in close proximity to the nuclear power stations in south India, it has been found necessary to establish an independent regulatory arm in keeping with the advice given by the International Atomic Energy Agency," the statement said.

Sri Lanka and India are divided by a narrow strip of sea, known as the Palk Straits. The recent nuclear disaster in Japan put Sri Lanka on alert over the threat the island may face if a similar disaster occurred in India.

The government will replace the country's existing Atomic Energy Act in order to introduce nuclear power technology in the country, the statement added.