“Colombo City Thunder” Table Top Exercise, 20th February 2025
The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (Council), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), successfully conducted the pre planed “Colombo City Thunder Tabletop Exercise (TTX)” under the Silent Thunder Exercise series related to National Security Events. The target groups for this exercise was:
- stakeholders responsible for responding to nuclear security events and organizations that use Category-I radioactive sources in Sri Lanka.
- stakeholders responsible for responding nuclear or radiological emergency preparedness and response (EPR) according to the national Emergency Management Plan (EMP)
The TTX had been designed based on a hypothetical scenario involving a security events. Four sdifferent continuous scenarios were prepared in collaboration with local organizing teams consist of Council (04), Apeksha Hospital (04) and Police (04). This TTX had primarily focused on scenarios related to physical protection system of radiotherapy facilities in Apeksha Hospital. The scenarios were made with real information of Apeksha hospital and local situation. This enables to participants to identify the local response during the exercise. The exercise was conducted on February 20th at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel from 9.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m, with representatives from stakeholder organizations. Pre-training for players had been conducted on Wednesday, February 19th from 9.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m, at the same venue. Total of 96 participants including 42 players & 54 Observers effectively participated to the TTX by giving their maximum collaboration for the TTX. All facilities, including food and logistics, was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy via Citrek Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.
Mr. K.N. R. Fernando has invited to conduct Basic radiation protection to all participants in local language to better understanding the basic subject to participants. Mr. Kapila De Silva, Director General of the Council addressed the gathering during opening session of the TTX on behalf of local organizers. Mr. Prageeth Kadadunna, Director (Inspection and Enforcement) worked as main counterpart for this important activity and shared his experience as national emergency coordinator (NEC) and coordinated during the response to TTX by participants. Mr. A.P. Madushanka worked as coordinator for this important TTX and succeeded to brought all proposed participants to TTX.
As the competent authority for nuclear security and emergency preparedness and response (EPR), we, the Council, are thrilled to take this step toward enhancing radiological preparedness with our international partners.
