US refutes reaching nuclear pact with Lanka

The US has rejected a claim that it had agreed to provide nuclear technology assistance to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the media that Sri Lanka was to get technical assistance from US on nuclear and other radio-active materials that are used in civil operations.

But the US embassy in Colombo clarifed that the US and Sri Lanka governments did not discuss any assistance on nuclear technology. It explained that it approached the Sri Lanka government merely to offer assistance in removing two radioactive sources no longer in use, it said, “as part of a worldwide program to properly dispose of potentially dangerous radioactive material.”

The cabinet of ministers has appointed a committee to study the US proposal.

“The U.S. Embassy and the Government of Sri Lanka have discussed this technical assistance, but have not reached any agreement,” the statement said.