The United States has strengthened Sri Lanka’s port security with the commissioning of new radiation detection equipment at the Colombo Port’s West Container Terminal, provided through the Megaports Initiative by the US Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA)’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD).
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung led the commissioning ceremony, where she highlighted the enduring partnership between the two nations in countering nuclear smuggling. The equipment, valued at nearly US$ 500,000 (approximately Rs. 148 million), will help detect and alert authorities to the presence of radioactive materials, thereby supporting Sri Lanka’s national port security regulations and enhancing global supply chain safety.
The initiative not only bolsters local detection capabilities but also contributes to international security, by helping identify threats at key global transit hubs before they reach the US or other destinations. Senior officials from Sri Lanka Customs, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board were present at the event and collaborated with US experts to train local instructors and maintenance personnel on the new systems.
The commissioning marks a milestone in the 20-year collaboration between the US and Sri Lanka under the Megaports Initiative, first formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding in 2004. Since then, the US has invested over US$ 31 million (more than Rs. 9 billion) to enhance nuclear detection infrastructure at one of the world’s most strategic maritime trade routes.
Ambassador Chung remarked, “Sri Lanka is one of our longest-standing partners in the fight against nuclear smuggling… This commissioning represents another milestone in our shared commitment to global security, non-proliferation, and the protection of international trade routes.”
