United States (US) Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung commissioned new radiation detection equipment at the Port of Colombo on 28 March, provided by the US Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence through its Megaports Initiative. 

The equipment, valued at approximately $ 500,000 (Rs. 148 million), will be used at the Port of Colombo’s West Container Terminal (WCT) to detect and alert authorities to the presence of radioactive materials. 

Regarding this, Chung stated: “Sri Lanka is one of our longest-standing partners in the fight against nuclear smuggling. With over $ 31 million – more than Rs. 9 billion – invested since 2004, the Megaports Initiative has strengthened Sri Lanka’s ability to secure one of the world’s most strategic maritime trade routes. Today’s commissioning at the Port of Colombo marks another milestone in our 20-year partnership and shared commitment to protecting global supply chains, preventing the spread of nuclear materials, and detecting dangerous materials before they can cross borders.”