Sri Lanka: No deal with Pakistan on nuclear plant

Sri Lanka on Saturday denied reports it was to build a nuclear power plant in the east of the country with the assistance from Pakistan. Minister of Power and Energy Champika Ranawaka said that reports were misleading and could harm the relations Sri Lanka has with its neighbors. Reports in India this week claimed that Sri Lanka would have discussions with Pakistan on the setting up of a nuclear power plant in Sampur, Trincomallee in eastern Sri Lanka. India reportedly has been concerned over the news and the Indian media said that the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok Kantha had briefed senior officials in India regarding Pakistan's proposal. "Sri Lanka has no agreement with any country for a nuclear power station. The false reports are harming cordial relations between countries,"Ranawaka said at a special media briefing held on the issue. Sri Lanka's Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) last month decided to take measures to establish a warning system in order to be on alert of a possible radiation leak from nearby countries. Following the request of AEA, the International Atomic Energy Authority decided to help Sri Lanka set up seven early warning detectors in the country. The need for an early warning system was mostly felt after India prepared to commission the Kudankulam nuclear power station in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. In April, Sri Lanka expressed concerns over the nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu forcing India to give an assurance on the safety standards and on legal mechanism to deal with the trans- boundary liability issues.