Sri Lanka undecided on nuclear power

The government is still undecided on using nuclear power to meet the electricity needs of the country, Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka said today.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo today the Minister said that the authorities are carrying out a feasibility study on nuclear energy.

However he said no final decision has been taken on switching to nuclear power.

“You see the problems at Kundankulam,” the Minister said laughing. Kundankulam is the site of a nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu.

Residents in the area have voiced opposition to the power plant despite the Tamil Nadu government insisting it is safe.

Meanwhile the Minister expressed full confidence over the Chinese built coal power plant after it resumed operations following an unexpected breakdown.

He said that the Norochcholai coal power plant is expected to meet 60 percent of the country’s electricity demands once the full project is completed.

“The allegation that the power cuts were solely because of the breakdown of the Norochcholai coal power plant is not correct. The power cuts were because there was no rain. Blaming me, the Ceylon Electricity Board, China or the Chinese engineers was not fair,” Ranawaka said.

Image: Ranawaka

Source: Colombogazette (Sri Lanka)