Sri Lanka and Russia signed a bilateral agreement to obtain Russian assistance to develop and research on nuclear technology in Sri Lanka.

The agreement was signed by Russian Atomic Energy Agency, Rosatom Head and former Russian Prime Minister Sergey Kiriyenko and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority Chairman Dr Ranjith Wijewardena on behalf of the two states.

The agreement facilitates research, studies and specialised training on nuclear energy and nuclear waste management in Sri Lanka with the assistance of Russian specialists on the subject.

The two states have given attention to five key areas centering on nuclear research. Dr Wijewardena said this agreement will help strengthen development related activities in many spheres with the incorporation of nuclear technology and to test the veracity of technological activities.

The bilateral agreement was signed as a result of the recent visit of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka to Russia to participate in an International Ministerial Conference on ‘Nuclear Power in the 21st Century’ in Saint Petersburg from June 27-29.

Representatives of 102 countries including ministers and nuclear technology specialists participated in the conference. The minister during the visit held a special discussion with senior officers of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency on the use of nuclear energy in Sri Lanka.

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)