Kudankulam: Lankan Bishop writes to Prime Minister

Colombo: A Sri Lankan Bishop has handed over a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmonhan Singh citing the concerns of people of Mannar, especially fisher folks over the Kudankulam nuclear plant.

Bishop Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph in his memorandum highlighted the fears of the people in the Mannar Gulf, which is in the close proximity to the South Indian coastline, Bishop House sources said.

He stated that people have fears of nuclear radiation leakage from the Kudankulam nuclear plant and its damage to the marine resources in the region.

The Mannar Bishop has requested the Indian Premier to take serious note on the safety of Sri Lankans.

"The Kudankulam power plant would pose a grave threat to the people Mannar, though it is separated by the Palk Straits," he said.

The letter was handed over to the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok Kantha on Monday by Bishops representative Rev. Jayapalan Croos.

Rev. Croos informed the Kantha threat caused by dumping nuclear waste in the South Indian coastal areas, which is a serious issue affects the environment and also the South India and the Northern part of Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the Indian envoy explained the safety measures taken if a nuclear leakage was reported and the plant had been built following high safety standards.

"We have taken measures to prevent nuclear disasters and previous mishaps in nuclear plants in Chernobyl in Russia and Fukushima in Japan will not be happened," he assured.

source: ibns