Sri Lanka Identified Five Candidate Sites For A Nuclear Plant

Colombo(News 1st);Sri Lanka has identified five candidate sites for its first nuclear power plant, marking a significant step forward in its pursuit of nuclear energy.

A follow-up review mission by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the country is making steady progress in laying the foundation for a national nuclear power programme.

The IAEA’s Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission was conducted at the request of the Sri Lankan government from July 14 to 18, 2025.

It evaluated Sri Lanka’s progress since the initial Phase 1 review in 2022, which had made 26 recommendations and six suggestions to support the development of nuclear infrastructure.

The expert team—comprising specialists from Bulgaria, Türkiye, and the IAEA—found that Sri Lanka has taken concrete steps since 2022. 

These include identifying five candidate sites for a nuclear power plant, setting up a procurement management structure, drafting a national nuclear law, and integrating nuclear power into its long-term energy strategy for 2025 to 2044.

Energy Minister Engineer Kumara Jayakody called the INIR mission “a significant milestone” in Sri Lanka’s journey toward a sustainable and secure energy future.

While the mission report is largely positive, it highlights challenges ahead—particularly in integrating a nuclear plant of over 600 megawatts into Sri Lanka’s existing grid, which is increasingly reliant on variable renewable energy. 

The report also notes that further development is needed in human resources, stakeholder engagement, radioactive waste management, and industrial participation.