Sri Lanka is generating approximately 14,000 GWH of electricity through hydropower (MW 1205), thermal (MW 500) Independent Power Producers (534MW), Mini Hydro (82 MW) and wind (3MW). Approximately 3300MW coal power plants will be added for power generation by 2020. The 2006 report of the CEB generation planning branch has estimated the electricity demand of the country in the year 2020 as 5900 MW. The CEB generation plan -2006 base-case has recommended Upper Kotmale -150MW Oil -945MW Coal (West Coast) -1200MW Coal (Southern Coast) -1200MW and Coal (East Coast) -900MW power plants to be added with an estimated capital cost of over 5 billion USD.

Between 2009 and 2022, an additional capacity of 3575 MW is expected to be required and of this 3155 MW or 88% is planned to be coal fired. By 2022, some 83% of electricity would be generated by coal.

The latest proposal is to generate electricity through thorium based nuclear power plants. While nuclear power generation can be considered in the countries that have no other sources, it is hard to understand the reasons to establish a nuclear power plant in Sri Lanka. Yet, as a sovereign nation, this should be a decision taken by the citizens of Sri Lanka through a democratic and informed and consultative process and not because of the push by those who are having conflict of interests.

• There are many protests by the general public and environmental groups world-wide against to the promotion of nuclear power. Same time, there are some supporters of nuclear power. But my understanding general public in Sri Lanka are not aware about the pros and cons of the Nuclear Power generation.
• It is common knowledge that nuclear power is so far developed by only very few nations due to technology scarcity. Very few countries have the technical know-how in dealing with nuclear power plants. But only a very few developing countries are involved in this risky power generation.
• Nuclear power is a risky and dangerous source of power. It needs pre-processing of nuclear material, maintenance of power plants, waste disposal and decommissioning involving very high risks and sensitive.
• World-wide there have been 99 fatal accidents at nuclear power plants from 1952 to 2009, totaling US$20.5 billion in property damages. Fifty-seven accidents have occurred since the Chernobyl disaster and almost two-thirds (56 out of 99) of all nuclear-related accidents have occurred in the USA which has access to latest technology.