Ship to China which docked at H'tota was transporting Uranium

Colombo (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council confirmed the vessel which had docked at the Hambantota Port on Tuesday (20) night was transporting Uranium for use in nuclear power plants.

Director-General of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council Anil Ranjith speaking to News 1st said special approval is required from Sri Lanka in order to bring in radioactive material. Anil Ranjith said the vessel, which was En Route to China from Port of Rotterdam had docked at the Hambantota port following a technical issue. He added, however, that details that the cargo contained radioactive material were not made available to authorities by the vessel at the time of docking. Subsequently, The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council has taken steps to have the vessel moved out of the Inner Port to the Outer Port, where it is currently docked. Sri Lanka Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva speaking to News 1st said the vessel in question is currently at the Outer Port.