Despite the clarification provided through our press statement issued on 21 February 2013, we continue to come across erroneous reports appearing in a section of the media on leaks having developed in critical equipment of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, raising unwarranted fears of dangers of radiation leaks.

It is reiterated that these reports are totally baseless and that there has been no radiation leak at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (Unit-1) is currently in an advanced stage of commissioning. ´Initial Fuel Loading´ has been completed and various tests prior to ´First Approach to Criticality´ are under progress. Close monitoring of the testing procedures and their results is being undertaken by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Further, an AERB Observers´ Team is at the site to monitor various commissioning activities and report to the AERB on a daily basis. Only after checking compliance with safety requirements does AERB permit taking up of the next commissioning stage.

At this stage of commissioning, nuclear fission process has not yet begun and there is no generation of radiation or radioactive material, and therefore, there is no release or leakage of radioactive material.

Also, as per established practice, area radiation monitoring (within the plant) and environmental radiation monitoring (covering air, water route discharges) are in place and their readings are continuously monitored. These readings are of background level and do not indicate any release or leakage of radioactive material.

Given the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka, any erroneous and alarmist reporting, which is not based on facts, should be avoided.