By Upatissa Pethiyagoda –
Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda
Apparently there has been a proposal that our country’s plans for future energy requirements, has, among its options, included nuclear generation also as an alternative to fossil fuels (coal and petroleum).
In an open letter to the President, Emeritus Prof. Dharmadasa (Sheffield), has extensively cautioned against any precipitate action in pursuing the nuclear option for Sri Lanka. His is a voice to be heeded. He has, comprehensively supported his viewpoint. The basic points are:
1. It is a fallacy to regard nuclear as a “Green or Renewable Energy”
2. The installation costs are beyond our means.
3. Technically qualified and expert operators are required and we do not have them. Competence and discipline are imperative.
4. Nuclear accidents are difficult to handle. Corrective measure are urgent and costly. Large areas have to be abandoned and remain so for decades (or even centuries or millennia) before they can be safe again. Major accidents have already occurred, Three Mile Island (USA), Sellafield (formerly Windscale) (UK), Chernobyl (USSR/Ukraine) and Fukushima (Japan). Damage to plants can be triggered by Cyclones, Typhoons, Hurricanes, Tidal Waves, Earthquakes and Tsunamis.
In a telling remark, Professor Dharmadasa makes reference to the fact that German Chancellor Angela Merkel (herself a Ph.D in Physics,) decided to close down all seventeen operational nuclear Power Plants in the country, following the Fukushima accident.
5. Nuclear fuels are expensive and demand special safety protocols.
6. Nuclear waste is difficult to dispose of. If buried, they require heavy, concrete “Sarcophagi”. Even then, the land cannot be farmed or inhabited for a very long time.
7. Symptoms or illnesses (like cancer), show features suggestive of exposure to Nuclear Radiation.
These are very valid reasons for older installations in rich countries, to be abandoned as reliance on nuclear energy is no longer seen as an option or even for long established facilities to be retained. No new installations would be considered by them.
India meanwhile, have operating nuclear power plants in the South (Kalpakkam and Kundalkulam). Hopefully, this would not cause problems for us. On the other hand, would they have surplus power which we could buy?.
In regard to the difficulty in handling a nuclear accident,we have an experience which may be indicative. In Seeduwa on the Negombo/Colombo Road was the Milko Powdered Milk Factory. This caught fire sometime in the late seventies. The destruction was horrendous and lasted for days. Needing to pass this site, virtually daily, I could see it smoldering for weeks. There were many Fire Trucks standing by, apparently inactive. I was prompted to ask why they remained inactive, and was given the shocking answer “There is no water available for the Fire Hoses”.
Tells us something about the suitability of Nuclear Plants for us, Does it not?
old codger / March 31, 2023
“India meanwhile, have operating nuclear power plants in the South (Kalpakkam and Kundalkulam). Hopefully, this would not cause problems for us. On the other hand, would they have surplus power which we could buy?.”
Apparently they do, but electrical experts in the GMOA have objected in the past.
For anyone interested, here are two electricity bill calculators from India and SL
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https://kseb.in/bill_calculator_v12/
https://cebcare.ceb.lk/Incognito/BillCalculator
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130 units, which will cost you 7200 LKR in SL, will cost 2200 LKR in India. I suppose the difference is due to overpaid employees and mismanagement. This alone is a good enough reason to hand over the CEB to Adani.
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Raj-UK / March 31, 2023
OC
We are suspicious of foreign investment but even in UK, many national industries, such as, steel, are owned by foreigners. As the saying goes, there is no free lunch in business but if the contract is transparent & those responsible work for the greater good & not self serving, a small country like SL, which needs foreign investment badly, can benefit in the long term. After all, its the English who introduced tea to SL & opened world markets, they invested in the transport system, & SL also benefitted in the long term. Nevertheless, caution is necessary. China was to open & operate a nuclear plant in UK but it was scuppered at the last moment after UK became suspicious of China’s increasing investments in UK, particularly, with their 5G technology.
Cont.
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Raj-UK / March 31, 2023
Cont.
Naturally, our self serving politicians & trade unions will be up in arms. From personal experience, I can state how the elect. board lost Rs 3m from me as earnings. I was invoiced Rs1.8m but had to pay Rs3.2m to Elect. board officials to move a pylon installed in my land. It was not a bribe but extortion. If we are not f****d by foreigners, we are f****d by our own.
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SJ / April 5, 2023
What has 5-G to do with a nuclear power plant?
Was it not orders from above (or across the big divide) at play?
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The British were also in Africa and what did they leave Africa with? Ask them why they trust the Chinese, despite all manner of ghost stories told to them.
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Mahila / April 5, 2023
SJ,
He is probably referring to ‘Huawei’ 5G and related ramifications, including spying on NP operations and ability to sabotage if the occasion demands!!!
NO PERMANENT FRIENDS ONLY PERMANENT INTERESTS EXISTS!? Therefore one could be on the wrong side of the FENCE!!!??
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Sinhala_Man / April 1, 2023
Dear old codger,
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I have always agreed with you that it would have been best for us to recognise that we belong to the Indian sub-continent in many ways.
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Although I have always confessed that I don’t understand the intricacies of Economics, it is common sense to say that if we belonged to a larger grouping it would make sense, especially because humans today exchange products, with specialisation making for greater efficiency.
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However, you are advocating the making of permanent decisions by an old man (Ranil Wickremasinghe) who has managed to gain control of this country by sleights of hand. All “legal“. But having got there he ignores the Law about conducting elections. Do you really buy his argument that LGE will cost too much?
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By keeping fuel oils at last week’s prices he would have earned enough to get the LGE over and done with.
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The technicalities of nuclear energy are a different matter; Dr Upatissa Pethiyagoda has presented those issues with admirable conciseness.
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Panini Edirisinhe
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old codger / April 2, 2023
SM,
“But having got there he ignores the Law about conducting elections”
Haven’t you heard that the country is bankrupt? Be thankful for what we still have, unlike say, Lebanon or Zimbabwe. It is so easy to read up on those places.
“By keeping fuel oils at last week’s prices he would have earned enough to get the LGE over and done with”
And what happens when fuel prices rise, as they will eventually? Will you be happy?
On that subject, it wouldn’t have been the government, but LIOC that made more money. They made 9 billion rupees before tax last quarter, compared to Ceypetco’s loss.
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Mahila / April 5, 2023
OC,
“Apparently they do, but electrical experts in the GMOA have objected in the past.”
We know what happened last time chief GMOA purportedly from a noteworthy town in NWP, stuck his head into PLANT CARE (OR ORGANIC FERTILISER USE) HE GOT AN INNOCENT PRESIDENT to fil and flee!!!?? This chief before that tried to teach experts in SOIL MECHANICS in department of agriculture on a TV forum!!!???
he failed when he was asked how and what difference is there in plant nutrition thru’ soil enrichment as against human Biology and nutrition, the all-knowing expert went away from the FORUM ON THE PRETEXT OF GOING TO THE TOILET and made a prompt and unceremonious exit from the TV station!!! This was in January 2022, 6 months prior to unceremonious naval exodus by President GR
No one should believe this standardisation entry Medicos (doubtful A Level and Z- score) and doubtful knowledge outside their professional qualification!!! All blown out of proportion, because the leaders themselves are uneducated – result zilch!!!
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Mahila / April 5, 2023
OC,
Mismanagement is an understatement!! The reality is utter corruption!!!
Have encountered situation, when my parents were residing in Hulftsdorp street Colombo 12 (circa 1977 or 78), the transformer opposite the house exploded/damaged and no Power on Friday afternoon!!
Coax the CEB team (from Pettah PS) to carry out repairs during the next day to restore supply was Rs 1750 (USD equivalent 125 current equivalent SL Rs 43,750)!
There were others in the street who also paid to regain supply for weekend!!! Highway Robbery!!!???
The funniest part is this guy (Foreman (OIC Pettah PS) was known to me from Moratuwa university time and ensure privacy kept out of the negotiations!!!
Well may be they fear they can’t do such anymore if privatised!!
SO PROTEST THAT THEY ARE SAVING THE MOTHERLAND FROM GOING ON SALE – GREAT PATRIOTS!!
NAY!! VULTURES AWAITING CARCASE!!!???
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Raj-UK / March 31, 2023
What a thought, bankrupt SL with visions of nuclear energy. Are we still having fond memories of a ‘country like no other’, capable of anything? I suppose the logic, if we are capable of sending satellites, why not nuclear powerplants, is acceptable to those denial.
Highways & hospitals built at a premium cost, unused airports, conference halls & cricket stadiums, a port paid for by tax payers but benefits enjoyed by foreigners, the tallest communication tower in the area, a port city for the rich which could end up as a ghost city, mostly white elephants but provided generous kickbacks to many politicians & cronies, & nuclear plant would, undoubtedly, be the the cherry of all times.
Cont.
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Raj-UK / March 31, 2023
Cont.
Are we serious? Apart from the dangers & risks involved as highlighted by the author, are we aware of the costs involved (technical support, maintenance, waste disposal, end of life, contingency plans etc), other options available & the returns expected? Obviously, feasibility studies were not done on previous projects but in this case, it is crucial. Most probably the entire workforce will have to be foreign because of our lack of nuclear capability & knowing the mentality, lethargy & work ethics of the average SL workforce, I would be most concerned if any of the operators are Sri Lankan. Anyone who has seen the Chernobyl disaster documentaries will have sleepless night just at the thought of this proposal.
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old codger / April 1, 2023
Raj,
Expecting the CEB to run a nuclear power station when it is yet to get the hang of operating its coal power station, is the height of foolishness. Unless of course, the builders offer to ran and maintain it. That’s what the Chinese offered in the case of Norochcholai, but the CEB refused.
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SJ / April 1, 2023
OC
I am not sure if build and operate was the initial offer.
CEB’s lack of coal expertise was a problem , but there were other suspicions about the shutdowns in the early stages, when there was little reason for them to occur.
CEB has too many internal quibbles that have little to do with management or technology.
Nuclear power will be suicidal under the circumstances
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old codger / April 2, 2023
SJ,
Yes, the CEB, just like the rest of Sri Lanka, is riven with petty dissension. It seems electrical engineers rule the roost, even in thermal power stations. Then, there are the administrators, accountants, all at each other’s throats.
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Mahila / April 5, 2023
Part I
SJ,
“CEB’s lack of coal expertise was a problem, but there were other suspicions about the shutdowns in the early stages, when there was little reason for them to occur”
There was the incident in 2009 or 10, when the the contract was signed and sealed, a demand was made that an exorbitant amount or percentage was demanded to proceed with the Norrichholai PP!
Since the contract was signed supplier (main contractor declined) and he was told in no uncertain terms that will not happen w/o payment (Bribe)
After Chinese government intervention and delay of almost 4-6 months, the Chinese agreed to continuance of the contract agreeing to conditions (?)
The execution was unduly delayed and when the parts and equipment arrived there were rumours that the parts received don’t appear to be NEW but USED!!
Thereafter there were rumours that it was REFURBISHED PARTS (ESPECIALLY THE HEAT EXCHANGER HAD TELL TALE MARKS OF REPAIRS CARRIED OUT) OF DISMANTLED CHINESE COAL POWER PLANT!!!
There were further delays because of this confusion and CEB refused to commence erection and government interaction with the Chines counterparts enabled the Chinese engineers flown in to erect and commission NPP 1??!!
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Mahila / April 5, 2023
(Part II)
SJ, you are spot on the plant broke down within the first month, if not weeks of commissioning and it was adorably named ALWAYS BREAKDOEN NORRICHHOLAI!!!
Evidently that didn’t eventuate with stage 2 and 3!!??
Perceivably because a price revision UP was applied to Stage 2 and 3, so seller was HAPPY and no grudges as with stage 1, thinking of the diversion “Like Mahaweli waters diverted to FINCO, they (Chinese) had enough and more funds to spare in diversion to deep south from Norrichholai”!!!???
CONTENTED HEARTS AND MINDS CAUSE GOOD FUSION and SYNCHRONISATION!!!??
WELL LUBRICATED SMOOTH OPERATION!!!??
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chiv / April 5, 2023
Raj, what is that our people are not suspicious of, except for our own corrupt politicians, politics, dysfunctional system and myth. As a fact Nuclear Medicine is a widely used branch of medical sciences, especially in the field of Oncology and Radiology (nuclear scanning) . Though not all hospitals provide this service, the ones which do, need to have adequate safety, monitoring, backup plan to handle crisis and expertise. China built Norochcholai has had more days of breakdowns than real functioning. Then to blame the CEB is a joke. After getting tired of listening to China’s excuses, a group of Russians technicians were brought in during Covid , (prior to electricity crisis), who declared it as unrepairable. When the country is bankrupt,have no money to maintain, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats at the top, why blame the staff ?? For a country like Lanka when there are plenty options, why do we need Nuclear Power?? But that is the beauty of Silly Lankans. When bankrupt they still love discussing Nuclear Power, sending satellites, going to Mars, manufacturing racing cars, prosperity and splendor, most developed nation by 2048, during crisis, one minister even told about ” soon exporting electricity to India” ??? Regardless , like robotic science, AI, 3 D printing, cloning, among many other things, Nuclear Science too will be integrated into human living.
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shankar / April 1, 2023
we must diversify our sources of power in order to reduce the risk of shortages of power.Nuclear power is one of the sources we have to use.It is clean,only that we have find a place to dump the radioactive waste.That is a problemin a small country such as ours.However it is a option to consider.
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Raj-UK / April 1, 2023
shankar
Nuclear energy is no longer considered as ‘clean’. The risks involved are far greater than the benefit. Only a few developed countries are continuing with nuclear plants. Even UK scrapped a new nuclear plant to be run by the Chinese at the eleventh hour & instead, is pursuing green sustainable energy from solar & wind power. If you see documentaries on the Chernobyl & Fukushima disasters, you will understand the risks & the long lasting devastation in the event of an accident or breakdown. Even the thought of SL going nuclear is absurd.
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shankar / April 4, 2023
Raj-UK
how come france has so many nuclear plants and has had no problems.Chernobyl and fukushima may be exceptions to the rule.Are we to throw the baby out with the bathwater?India also has nuclear plants in the south without any problems.
Ps.just because some planes crah should we ban planes?Cost /benefit analysis.
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SJ / April 5, 2023
Are we sure that it is bathwater that is to be thrown out?
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SJ / April 5, 2023
S
There was the 3-mile island disaster before that in 1979 in Pennsylvania.
Then we had the Windscale fire of 1957, the worst nuclear accident in the UK, and the whole thing was ‘cleaned up’ by renaming Windscale as Sellafield.
Japan, like France and India, had an accident-free record until Fukushima happened.
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The outcome of a nuclear accident is far worse (on cost-benefit basis) than an air crash or street accident.
There is also the problem of nuclear waste disposal. The risks there last thousands of years or much more.
Have you checked on where France dumps its nuclear waste?
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Mahila / April 5, 2023
Shankar,
That ‘Dumping’ is the least of all problems!!! We have enough and more places in the North and East, where population is low!!??
Question is what is your preference??? Because we want to keep you safe as your continued participation in this forum is paramount importance!!!
Manal Aru (Weli Oya), Nilavelli, Varani or Vaddukoddai!!!
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Paramanathan K / April 1, 2023
Sadly, it was the government announced that country had been declared bankrupted and there was no way of settling the debts. Now people may wonder how on earth Sri Lanka became wealthy and in par with other wealthy nation to moot the idea on Nuclear Energy? Just because the country has been granted to receive IMF loan 17th time. Wonder whether obtaining IMF assistance is a monumental success by the state? Our rotten politicians must be in their own dream world to hoodwink the people without doing their homework properly. As an undeveloped country we have not done our work properly to consolidate and sustain energy demand by utilizing our natural resources which solar energy. It is high time to flood the country with solar power generating system with battery banks to counter balance the import of fossil fuel.
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nimal fernando / April 1, 2023
How little ye remember ……… or know history.
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This is the reason for nuclear-power to go out of favour in the West ……. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accident
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Nuclear engineering which was popular ……… and graduates in high demand ………. ended up without a career …….. or jobs.
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Sinhala_Man / April 1, 2023
1/many
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What we are facing is a World Problem.
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Humans have decided that they are worthy to decide how to use what is found on this planet in whatever way they please.
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All energy on Earth comes from The Sun; many don’t understand even that!
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Energy was a prime requirement; now we must face up to the fact that we cannot exploit petroleum for much longer (comparison must be made with the age of our planet, or the universe, or whatever). An old man (I’m older, admittedly!) decides to think in terms of years since some political event called “Independence from Britain” and of his desire to control 22 million humans.
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The choices seem to be go green with energy by using manifestations of energy from The Sun – solar, wind, waves, etc. or systematically destroy bits of matter to release quantities of energy unthinkable up to about century ago, with techniques developed during the past few decades.
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Isn’t this something like the over-view that we need?
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Panini Edirisinhe
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Sinhala_Man / April 1, 2023
2/ many
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Going nuclear is a momentous decision. The nations that have taken those decisions have demonstrated that they are capable of acting somewhat more responsibly than us.
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Dr UP has listed here 7 ways in which problems have already arisen in other countries that have gone nuclear. I understand what is said here, with great clarity. More problems may arise. Why are we doing all this? Because we want comfortable lives for ourselves, for how many years each?. Make no mistake, not for all 8 billion people.
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For a handful of successful individuals “the wonders of modern medicine” may make it possible for them to live for 200 years. Anyone envisaging anything longer? But not 200 years for all. A fraction of the tragedies of “family suicides” in Lanka have got reported. Those people can’t feed themselves!
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Upatissa is a scientist who has been acutely conscious of what Malthus said:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/an-attempt-to-prioritise-national-needs/
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That article is only a fortnight old. See how much response there has been. I guarantee that all those who look will be amazed. Go ahead, click on that link if you have the guts!
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About six months ago, he’d said this:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/on-overlooking-the-obvious/
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I didn’t realise that he’d warned of unsustainability before:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/population-growth-prosperity/
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Sinhala_Man / April 1, 2023
3/4
What we have to focus on are not who is saying something, but what is being said.
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Dr Pethiyagoda has been displaying admirable consistency and honesty, but I try not to react automatically to what I read. I did once take serious exception to what the distinguished alumnus of Peradeniya said,
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-pathology-of-ragging/
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The author did not intervene, but I had quite a tussle with Nathan; it is up to each individual to THINK out and to decide. Dr Pethiyagoda certainly makes it easy for us to do that by writing clearly – with the occasional typo as in that particular article.
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Despite what that article appears to be saying, Dr Pethiyagoda has been very clear about whom this land must belong to:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/to-whom-does-sri-lanka-belong/
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to the youth is what he clearly states, and NOT to geriatrics like Ranil, oc, himself and me!
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Sinhala_Man / April 1, 2023
4/4
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Experience is necessary, but that begins to degenerate into mere senility, and in the case of Ranil, combines with ego-centrism of monumental proportions.
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Sermonising must stop; and the debate being on what energy source is suitable for Lanka today, listen to a man in his prime as a politician4/4
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JoDV81CzrA
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If you refuse to listen for 4 minutes because the language is Sinhalese, the language spoken by most in this land, we are ALL doomed. In his stump speeches he keeps quoting Jeyaraj Fernandopulle as telling him that he (Fernndopulle) had reached the zenith for him, as merely a Minister, because of his name.
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The simple truth is that we must persuade the majority to approve of changes. What AKD repeatedly says is that importing and distributing fuel, a non-perishable item, is so straightforward, that if “authorities” are unable to organise even that, there is inefficiency of horrendous proportions.
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Beware of the strategies of those who want the current Dictatorship to succeed. They will anonymously place a multitude of sore red thumbs on the common sense that some of us take responsibility for writing.
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Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)
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SJ / April 1, 2023
Nuclear power for Sri Lanka was advocated by some, including most prominently a nuclear chemist, some years after the only academic with a PhD in nuclear power had left the country.
Some of the concerns raised by the author under 3 & 4 were raised in the Experts’ Committee which sat on energy options for Sri Lanka in the early 1980s. Attention was also drawn to reports of radioactively contaminated stainless steel kitchenware sold by roadside stalls in Bombay. How the radioactive material was smuggled out of a power plant was anybody’s guess. But considering our lack of industrial safety awareness and other risks the suggestion was summarily dismissed.
It is now 40 years since and little has changed.
Now we have lobbyists for everything that involves big money. And no one is more suspect than a self-proclaomed expert.
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leelagemalli / April 2, 2023
Thanks for your valuable article Dr. Pethiagoda, however, I don’t think this will become a reality as environmentalists in South Asia would not agree to establish such floating power plants in the region.
Although there were plans to transport radioactive waste back to Russia.
https://www.euronuclear.org/glossary/nuclear-power-plants-in-europe/
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The powerful countries of Europe are not involved in the promotion of nuclear power plants today. Dr. Merkel is right to have taken steps to shut down 3 power plants in Germany. France is the leading country with 56 power plants and has been criticized by EU countries. All other countries have less than 10 power plants.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56252695
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At the time of the Supergau disaster in Japan, for some hidden reason European news was largely dominated by operations in Japan. I have no doubt that the 1986 TSCHENOBYL is more or less the same with super effects. As someone who has dealt with people got exposed to such radiation, I know the ramifications cannot be buried under the carpet. Looking back at the radius areas of the TSCHENOBYL epi centres, one can see that those areas are still haunted and people are not allowed to roam.
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Paramanathan K / April 4, 2023
Seeking for Nuclear energy as the solution to our energy crisis is like a school student seeking double promotion without doing her home works and failed miserably in her term examinations. As Sri Lanka as a poor country and not being an oil producing country failed miserably to capitalize on its natural energy resources simply owing to ignorance and stupidity.
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Mahila / April 4, 2023
PK,
SPOT-ON which I fully agree as there is no scarcity ofr ignorance and stupidity – you know where!!!!
Both commodities are abundantly available!!! More than any other resources!!!???
otherwise do you think, any sane person would have experimented with the Modern Monetary Theory (MMF) and Organic fertilisation Venture (OFV) for more than 2 harvesting seasons until they exhausted all residual wealth and “LAST PIECE OF SILVER” (meaning last few dollars in the RESERVE and the GOLD too) in the Kitty!!!
Have to invent new word to describe that insanity, adopted pursuing INSANITY of “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”!!!!??
On the CONTRARY, we all ended poorer as Paupers of the world – BANKRUPT!!!???
Begging bowl on the ready!!!???
The INSANITY WAS STUPENDOUS, THAT THE ‘SPECIAL MAN’ SELECTED BY NAYAKA THEROS OF THE 3 MAJOR NIKAYAS AND ELECTED BY RECORD 6.9 MILLION EMNCIPATED SL CITIZENS DIDN’T REALISE, PATH BEING TRODDEN IS INCORRECT FOR 2¼ LONG YEARS, UNABLE TO STEER AVERT DOOM!?
AGREE IT‘S UNLIKE PURSUING ENEMY, AT WAR!!! ENEMY SIGHTED, PUMP AMMO UNTIL DEAD AS STONE – MATTER RESOLVED POSITIVELY!!?
Economy and Farming are different “BALL GAME”, need extraordinary perception, well-honed Skills and Mastery of ultimate needs and process!!! Otherwise FAIL!!??
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old codger / April 4, 2023
Mahila,
“do you think, any sane person would have experimented with the Modern Monetary Theory (MMF) and Organic fertilisation Venture (OFV) for more than 2 harvesting seasons?”
Any other fool would have experimented with only OFV or MMT. But the Arrogant King of Fools had to do both at the same time.
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L. Goonatilake / April 4, 2023
Sri Lanka going Nuclear – Hara Kiri- Committing suicide!! See our Technological capabilities! Examples below:
1 Last year- We changed the domestic LPG Gas propane/Butane composition and did not take care of the correct regulator, to fit the changed composition. So many LPG canisters started exploding and some deaths.
2 The Railways- there are at least a few derailments a month. Going to Kandy is a free Roller Coaster ride. The train swings violently left to right and up and down. This was not there when the British ran the railway. (we did not even have concrete sleepers). At the time only 4000 CGR employees nor over 16.000. British times rarely a derailment. This shows our Engineering capabilities. From British time steam trains to now fast diesel trains- the journey time is still the same. Our Power stations Kerawalapitiya – keeps breaking down every now and then. They are shut for weeks. Never happens in other countries.
3 The worst example any Sri Lankan commuter on roads see daily at peak traffic times. Key junctions traffic lights are manually changed to blink amber and a single Policeman tries to direct traffic. Only Country that does this silly thing. This is because no junction traffic studies were done to set the timers on the traffic lights.
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Sinhala_Man / April 4, 2023
To our argument that the use of nuclear energy requires discipline by everybody in that society, may I submit this observation, whose relevance may not immediately be obvious.
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I’ve been recommending visits to Colombo Telegraph by those who want to improve their ability to use English. They can make comments, but intelligent ones, please! This means re-assuring them that Sri Lankan English is a perfectly responsible form of the language, so I wanted to recommend this video:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRAeA9pnNHo
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I sent an email (BCC) to lots of people, but forgot to include the above link. One recipient, who is bound to see this comment, informed me that I had forgotten the link.
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Now I have handed in my mobile phone for a repair, and find myself unable to access my email from this computer in Maharagama which hadn’t been used by me for some time. When we activate security features, and they fail, it’s like dominoes falling.
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Hopefully, a few of my friends whom I sent that email to, will see this. One has to think creatively!
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Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111444V), now in Maharagama
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