Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council

No. 977/18, Kandy Road, Bulugaha Junction,
Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Tel: +9411 2987860
Fax: +9411 2984099

Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council Conducts Successful Tabletop Exercise on Emergency Preparedness

The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (Council) recently organized a tabletop exercise (TTX) for Council’s emergency response team members. The event took place on the 15th of December, 2024, at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake, marking a significant step in enhancing the country's preparedness for radiological emergencies. The primary aim of the TTX was to provide participants with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) in a controlled, simulated emergency scenario. This hands-on experience is crucial for ensuring that team members are well-equipped to handle real-world radiological emergencies effectively

Participants were tasked with managing a complex emergency situation that required coordination with national-level stakeholders. The simulation emphasized practical aspects of responding to radiological emergencies, including:

  • Effective communication among stakeholders.
  • Decision-making under pressure.
  • Implementation of safety protocols.
  • Mitigation strategies to protect the public and the environment.

The exercise highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Council and other national entities involved in emergency response. The TTX provided a platform to strengthen inter-agency coordination and refine the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders in a radiological emergency.

Feedback from the exercise was overwhelmingly positive, with participants appreciating the realistic scenarios and the opportunity to test their skills. The Council plans to conduct similar exercises regularly to maintain a high level of preparedness and ensure continuous improvement in emergency response capabilities. The successful completion of this TTX underscores the Council’s commitment to safeguarding public health and safety through robust emergency preparedness measures as leading technical and coordinating organization for responding nuclear or radiological emergencies.

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Colombo city thunder tabletop exercise

Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council in collaboration with US Department of Energy (US DOE) office of Radiological Security (ORS) is planning to conduct above TTX on 20 February 2025 at Colombo. The aim of the TTX to assess whether the security response arrangement provided to category I sources are complied with council requirements and to assess coordination mechanism during radiological emergency response to nuclear security event.

Pre planning meeting was held on 24.10.2024 at Court Yard Marriot hotel with participation of US DOE planning team and local planning team. The local planning team comprised with four council officers, four staff members of Apeksha hospital, Maharagama and two STF officers and two Police officers who are working as core group members of this table top exercise were attended to this meeting.

All logistics and funds will be borne by US DOE in connection with this TTX. It is planned to invite 100 participants who represent various stake holder agencies in nuclear security and emergency response to this TTX. The real time scenario will be developed by core team members in relation to Co-60 Sources at Apeksha Hospital.

In other than this, US DOE team met Mr. Priyantha Weerasuuriya, new Acting Inspector General of police at police headquarters on 22nd October 2024 and brief him about Global Material Security Programme and about Table top exercise to be held on February 2025. Further US DOE agreed to conduct special training programmes to police officers during 17th – 21st week of February in connection to this TTX.

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Outreach Workshop on Implementation of International Nuclear Safeguards in Sri Lanka, 21-23 August 2024

Sri Lanka is a party to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) signed with the United Nations and Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in connection with the NPT. IAEA further has proposed a Model Protocol additional to the Safeguards Agreement for the application of safeguards in states which are party to the IAEA Safeguards Agreement.

The purpose of these two instruments is to facilitate the IAEA to implement requirements of the NPT for controlling nuclear or non-nuclear activities which can lead for development of nuclear weapons.

As a result of the initiation made by the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (Council) the Cabinet of Ministers has already granted approval to accede the Additional Protocol (AP) and adopt it, once Sri Lanka fulfills its statutory requirements.

In 2017 and 2019, United States of Department of Energy (USDOE) in collaboration with the Council conducted three-day workshops in Sri Lanka to provide basic knowledge on AP to local stakeholders from different stakeholder institutions. In continuation of the workshop in 2019, a workshop will be conducted by USDOE in collaboration with the Council at Sheraton Colombo Hotel during 21-23 August 2024.

This workshop will raise awareness among Sri Lankan stakeholders such as Ministry of Power & Energy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council, Attorney-General’s Department, Sri Lanka Police, Imports & Exports Control Department, Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Customs and Sri Lanka Ports Authority; about the importance of entering AP to the Safeguard Agreement and, outline specific steps for conducting the AP and identify principal safeguards and their respective roles in the process in Sri Lanka.