Lanka wants say in monitoring mechanism over Kudankulam

Sri Lanka wants a closer involvement in the monitoring mechanism of Kudankulam nuclear power plant and will step up diplomatic efforts to achieve this, a media report said today.

Earlier this month, India and Sri Lanka discussed issues related to nuclear safety at Kudankulam after concerns were raised here over the risks faced by the island from the project.

"More diplomatic efforts will be made soon to enable Sri Lanka to get more involved in the monitoring mechanism at the plant which has caused serious concerns in both countries," Karunatilleke Amunugama, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs was quoted as saying by the Sunday Times newspaper today.

Amunugama says that officials from the local atomic energy authority and related experts need to get involved and keep the government informed.

Sri Lanka maintains that while India has the right to further its own atomic energy aims, Sri Lanka is equally entitled to pursue its safety interests.

Amunugama commended the bilateral approach taken by both countries to address concerns over the project in Tamil Nadu.

On October 12, during a bilateral meeting on nuclear cooperation, India had assured Sri Lanka on its concerns over the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, telling the other side that it was a state-of-the-art plant that was compliant with the highest safety standards.