IAEA Mission to review the Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan (INSSP) of Sri Lanka for 2026-2029, 08th-11th December 2025 at Waters Edge, Batthramulla hosted by Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council in collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Background
Sri Lanka’s use of radiation technology continues to expand across medical, industrial, research & educational purposes. These include diagnosis of diseases, medical treatment, gamma irradiation, nuclear gauging, and industrial radiography. These applications support public health services, industrial development, and national infrastructure.There are a number of category 1-3 sources in use in Sri Lanka These uses of sources, while beneficial, require a strong and sustainable national nuclear security regime to prevent the theft, loss, or misuse of radioactive sources and to safeguard against potential security threats. The use of radioactive and nuclear materials is governed by the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Act No. 40 of 2014, which assigned SLAERC the responsibility to ensure safety and security of radioactive sources. In addition, Gazette No. 2339/10, introducing national security regulations (Security Regulations), provides requirements for the security of radioactive sources and related facilities, focusing on preventing unauthorized access, theft, or misuse. Together, these form the national legal basis for radiation safety and nuclear security in Sri Lanka, in line with IAEA standards. Currently, 11 facilities in Sri Lanka use high-activity radioactive sources classified as Category I. Because of their potential risks, these sources must be handled with special care with applying level A security as per the Security Regulation. These arrangements ensured that radioactive sources are used safely (radiation safety) and securely (nuclear security) is therefore a national priority. The IAEA supports its Member States in nuclear security through internationally recognized frameworks.
Two key frameworks relevant to Sri Lanka are
- The IAEA Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan (INSSP) – a cooperative framework developed between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Member States to assess, strengthen, and sustain national nuclear security capacities.
- The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and the 2005 Amendment (CPPNM/A) – the only internationally legally binding instrument focused on the physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities, outlining obligations to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear security threats.
Together, these instruments help Member States build comprehensive, sustainable, and internationally compliant nuclear security regimes.
Nuclear Security regime in Sri Lanka
As part of Sri Lanka’s cooperation with the IAEA, the country has adopted the Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan (INSSP), in 2014 which outlines priority areas for strengthening national nuclear security capabilities. Sri Lanka originally used 12 high activity category 1 sources and established Physical protection System (PPS) in 2010 under the funding of United States Department of Energy Global Material Security Programme (USDOE, GMS). Under this programme progress was made in accordance with nuclear security regime in Sri Lanka. Under the INSSP, the IAEA has helped to establish detection systems in border points, provided opportunities to Sri Lankan regulators and other stakeholders to train in the international domain – conducting national trainings on design basis threat, physical protection etc. – and provided expert support in reviewing national security documents. In parallel, the IAEA has advised Sri Lankan officials to consider becoming a party to the CPPNM and its Amendment. Sri Lanka has done some preliminary work in this regard; however, Sri Lanka is not a party yet. Sri Lanka needs to take steps to align national legislation and regulatory infrastructure with the CPPNM and its 2005 Amendment, which significantly broadens the scope of physical protection obligations.
INSSP Review Meeting 2025
Sri Lanka is participating in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) INSSP, originally developed in 2013-14 in collaboration with the IAEA. As part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the national nuclear security regime, the national INSSP review meeting was held from 8 to 11 December 2025 at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla, with 35 representatives from relevant national and international stakeholders to review and update the existing INSSP to reflect current national priorities and security requirements. On the final day, a short workshop was held on the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its Amendment.
International experts participating included:
- Mr. Andrew Prosser, IAEA INSSP Officer
- Mr. Anwar Hayat, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority
- Ms. Mandalina Mann, United States Department of Energy (US DOE)
National coordination was led by:
- Mr. Prageeth Indika Kumara Kadadunna, Director, SLAERC, National INSSP POC
National stakeholders participation included:
- Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (SLAERC)
- Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board
- Sri Lanka Police & Special Task Force
- Sri Lanka Army
- Sri Lanka Navy
- Sri Lanka Air Force
- State Intelligence Service
- Ministry of Defence
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Science & Technology
- Ministry of Health
- Sri Lanka Customs
- Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Ltd
- Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Ports Authority
- Sri Lanka Coast Guard
- Attorney General's Department
During the meeting, participants discussed the current status of nuclear security in Sri Lanka, identified key gaps and challenges, and agreed on priority actions to further strengthen the national nuclear security framework. Accordingly, INSSP plan was developed for next four years to Sri Lanka to guide IAEA assistance to Sri Lanka in the area of nuclear security.
Key Outcomes and Way Forward
- Strengthened national nuclear security regime aligned with international legal instruments.
- Strengthened inter-agency coordination among regulatory, security, and operational bodies.
- An updated, Sri Lanka-specific INSSP roadmap endorsed by all key government agencies.
- Improved facility-level and transport-level physical protection capabilities.
- Enhanced border detection systems and trained operational personnel.
- Long-term sustainability through structured resource planning, training, and equipment maintenance.
- A modernized legal and regulatory framework consistent with the amended CPPNM.
Outcomes will guide the implementation of the Sri Lanka INSSP 2026–2029, ensuring the safe, secure, and responsible use of radioactive sources, contributing to public safety, national security, and international confidence.
