Workshop on standard operating procedures for radiological and nuclear emergencies held in Colombo

A five-day workshop to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for responding to radiological and nuclear emergencies within Sri Lanka’s territorial waters began at the Lighthouse Galley in Colombo today, 21 September 2026.

Director General Engineering of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Hasantha Dassanaike, and representatives from the Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence of the US Department of Energy attended the opening ceremony.

The workshop, which runs until 25 September, is being held as part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sri Lanka Navy and the US Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence.

The programme aims to provide practical guidance on drafting standard operating procedures to improve operational efficiency in detecting nuclear smuggling. It will also facilitate best-practice sharing and strengthen inter-agency coordination during detection and deterrence operations.