Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board

Stable isotope techniques are tools used by researchers worldwide in authenticating foodstuffs, tracing the drugs,identifying food adulterants, pollution monitoring, ground water monitoring, studies in marine ecosystems, diagnosis of diseases, understanding metabolic pathways in humans, and to answer many fundamental questions in nature. Stable isotopes already play an important role in research today and will become even more important for researchers in the future. Hence the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB) is in the process of developing methodologies in the analysis of stable isotopes using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometric (IRMS) techniques. SLAEB has established the first ever IRMS laboratory in Sri Lanka at its laboratory complex located Colombo, Sri Lanka through the technical cooperation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and on a Government cost sharing.

Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB) has organized a half day workshop on “Isotope Techniques in Water Resources Management” on 20^th December 2018 at SLAEB auditorium.

NCNDT Training Programmes - July - December

Expert Mission to Establish ¹⁴C Analytical Technique in Groundwater Dating

Isotope Hydrology Section of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board is currently working on groundwater investigation in the dry zone of Sri Lanka with objective of finding clean drinking water sources. IAEA supports this work by assisting to develop new analytical methods related to isotope techniques in hydrology. Isotope Hydrology section has already established some nuclear analytical techniques (³H, ²H and ¹⁸O measurements) and chemical analysis methods to support such projects. Establishment of ¹⁴C analysis in deep groundwater is one of the essential requirements to expand the ongoing research works. IHS has planned to introduce ¹⁴C sampling technique and analysis methods in near future.

IAEA expert Dr. Bhishm Kumar visited SLAEB during 14^th - 18^th May 2018 under     IAEA/ TC project SRL 7006. The objective of the expert mission was to plan the project activities particularly sampling strategies for isotope analysis. The sampling techniques were demonstrated in the field for ¹⁴C analysis, ³H analysis, other isotopes and water chemistry. The field visit demonstration was facilitated by Regional Centers of Water Recourses Board (WRB) in Anuradhapura and Puttlam. Isotope Hydrology staff of SLAEB and officers from WRB participated in the field demonstration.

Yukiya Amano, Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived Sri Lanka on 14 March 2018 for a one-day official visit on an invitation extended by Government of Sri Lanka and he departed on 16 March after completion of his successful one-day visit.
Director General Amano together with Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Chairman, Members of the Board, Director General of Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and some other respective officials, inspected the new laboratory complex of Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board in Orugodawaththa, Wellampitiya.