The Russian Ambassador, Levan Dzhagaryan, has stated that it is the decision of the Sri Lankan government whether or not to collaborate with Rosatom, the Russian state-owned nuclear company. During a media briefing on Thursday (Dec.21), Ambassador Dzhagaryan discussed the current status of the bilateral talks on nuclear power cooperation between Sri Lanka and Russia. He proposed the establishment of a 110-megawatt small nuclear power plant in Sri Lanka, either floating or land-based, as an alternative source of power to reduce reliance on coal and renewable energy. Ambassador Dzhagaryan also highlighted Russia’s successful nuclear cooperation with neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Turkiye, and Iran. Regarding the joint venture on Mattala International Airport, he mentioned that the proposal is still being considered. The Ambassador also noted the increasing number of Russian tourists visiting Sri Lanka, with an expected arrival of at least 200,000 by February 2024, as a key factor in Russia’s interest in the Mattala Airport.
