Sri Lanka Begins Key Review Programme on Nuclear Energy Readiness

 The initiative, led by the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board in collaboration with a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will continue until July 18.

The inauguration of the programme was graced by the Minister of Power, Engineer Kumara Jayakody, who highlighted its importance to the nation's energy future.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Jayakody stated, “This review marks a pivotal moment in our journey toward establishing a safe and sustainable nuclear energy sector. Nuclear power offers reliability, cost-efficiency, and enhanced energy security—factors that are vital to meeting Sri Lanka’s growing energy demands.”

The Minister further noted that nuclear energy has been officially incorporated as a primary method in the Sri Lanka Electricity Board’s Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP) for 2025–2044.

Although Sri Lanka has not yet reached a final decision on the implementation of nuclear power, Minister Jayakody confirmed that foundational efforts are ongoing to establish the required infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. He stressed the importance of proactive planning to ensure the country is prepared for a potential transition to nuclear energy as part of its future energy mix.

The programme will include technical assessments, policy discussions, and infrastructure evaluations by the IAEA team to determine the country’s current capacity and future needs in the nuclear energy sector.