ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY TO BE REPLACED WITH ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY COUNCIL

Atomic Energy Authority Act, No. 19 of 1969 is to be repealed and replaced with provision to establish an Atomic Energy Regulatory Council, the Cabinet decided today. Accordingly the cabinet has approved to prepare a bill to establish an Atomic Energy Regulatory Council.

Excerpt of Cabinet decision;

The current Atomic Energy Authority Act enacted in 1969 needs to be amended to introduce Nuclear Power Generation Technology in Sri Lanka and to address the security concerns of radioactive sources and to deal with Radiation Emergencies.

Since Sri Lanka is in close proximity to the Nuclear Power Stations in South India, it has been found necessary to establish an independent regulatory arm in keeping with the advice given by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Accordingly, the proposal made by Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill to establish an Atomic Energy Regulatory Council, was approved by the Cabinet.

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