[en] An analysis of the rates of change in the geomagnetic field components in the period range 20-600 sec recorded at Kondavil and Hikkaduwa, two stations in the equatorial electrojet belt near the northern and south western coasts respectively of Sri Lanka, shows anomalous variations. The results confirm induced current concentration in the Palk Strait and deflection of induced currents around the southerncoast of Sri Lanka postulated by earlier workers from observations of SSC and Bay events at Indian stations and from analogue and numerical model studies. At Kondavil, which is situated close to the geomagnetic equator, no appreciable difference in the night-time and day-time values of ΔZ/ΔH and ΔD/ΔH ratios was noticed while at Hikkaduwa, a station situated under the edge of the equatorial electrojet belt, a day-time enhancement of ΔZ/ΔH ratios was found at all periods in the observed range. An enhancement of the H component at Colombo over that at Hikkaduwa was also found at short periods, the enhancement being greater at day-time. The day-time enhancement in the ΔZ/ΔH ratios at Hikkaduwa and in the ratio of the H components at Colombo and Hikkaduwa could be due to the effect of the equatorial electrojet on the short period variations. (author)

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[en] Thank you, Mr. Chairman for giving me the opportunity to address this distinguished audience at short notice. I would also like to thank the Government of China and the China Atomic Energy Authority together with the IAEA and the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD for hosting and organizing this second ministerial meeting on nuclear energy. It takes place at a time when the world is faced with an energy crisis and also an environmental crisis. Besides cost considerations, dependence on fossil fuels is no longer feasible because of their impact on climate leading to global warming with all the adverse consequences for all forms of life on this planet. Therefore, from the point of view of generating electricity on a large scale without carbon emissions, nuclear energy is the need of the hour. This meeting is addressing the main issues that arise in expanding the use of nuclear energy as a source of power, such as fuel supply, waste management, infrastructure development, technology availability and environmental aspects. In addition by providing time for ministerial presentations the current experience and needs of the various countries are being surfaced and shared. Before discussing some issues pertaining to Sri Lanka, I wish to express my agreement with the statement made by the Vice Prime Minister of China who clearly emphasized the need for a total ban on nuclear weapons, which was supported by speakers from several other countries. The statement attributed to US President Barak Obama that he is prepared to work towards reducing nuclear arms in the USA is also welcome. Further, the right of every country to resort to peaceful use of nuclear energy for generating power should be respected so long as they conform to the regulations of the IAEA, including the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). I wish to share with the learned delegates a few issues pertaining to Sri Lanka as a country which has not yet taken a firm decision to turn to nuclear energy as a part of its energy mix. Sri Lanka is a small island of 64,000 sq km with about 20 million people with an electricity generation of 6000 MWe, 60% of which is thermal and 38% hydropower and the balance 2% being provided by renewable sources including biomass. Clearly, the dependence on petroleum has to be reduced for both economic and environmental reasons. The hydropower potential has been largely exhausted and therefore the government has turned to coal which also raises environmental concerns. Therefore, resort to renewable energy is the main option and a target of 10% of the country's needs by 2015 is being aimed at. In this context, and as the terrorist problem is being successfully overcome, for the first time the nuclear option is being seriously considered by Sri Lanka (Target up to 1000 MWe). However, we need to carefully assess the feasibility and cost effectiveness in the Sri Lankan context before taking a final decision. Among the relevant issues, apart from safety and security, are the following: 1. With the limited availability of uranium in the world, the effect on future prices due to increasing demand is a factor that needs consideration. There is evidence that Sri Lanka has significant thorium deposits. Can our thorium deposits which need to be properly determined, adequately compensate for this? (Indian Sub continent ha around 30% of the world thorium reserves). Do we then need at the outset to go for a reactor that can utilize thorium? 2. Suitable sites for long term waste disposal need to be identified in Sri Lanka. It may be necessary to establish regional waste repositories that would accept high level waste for long term disposal, may be for a reasonable fee. 3. Considering the problems encountered from the public when trying to establish a coal power plant, and even in setting up the laboratory of the Atomic Energy Authority of Sri Lanka, it will be necessary to have an intensive programme of public awareness on the safety and advantages of nuclear energy. 4. Sri Lanka will need to develop the human resources, particularly the skilled technical personnel to man the power plants and to carry out the regulatory and safety functions. Due to the lack of experienced personnel we may need the assistance of the IAEA and the international community.

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[en] Electricity pricing in most countries, especially in the developing world, has been determined by traditional accounting criteria where it raises revenue requirements to cover the operating costs and a return on past and future capital investments in possible power systems. The use of economic principles to improve the total economic efficiency in the electricity industry is discussed. Basic marginal cost theory, long run marginal costing (LRMC) cost categories and rating periods, marginal capacity costs, marginal energy costs, consumer costs, short run marginal costing (SRMC), marginal cost of fuel, marginal cost of network losses, market clearing price, value of unserved energy and network quality of supply cost are discussed

[en] Full text: The production status, farming systems and genetic diversity of indigenous cattle in Sri Lanka were evaluated using six geographically distinct populations in Sri Lanka, which is a small island located below the southern tip of Indian subcontinent. The indigenous cattle population of the country is considered as a non-descript type mixture of genotypes, and represent more than the half of total cattle population of 1.2 million heads. Six distinct indigenous populations (NE, NC, So, No, TK and Th) were investigated for morphological and genetic differences. The respective farming systems were also evaluated to complete the requirement in developing conservation and utilization strategies. The sampling was carried out based on the non-existence of artificial insemination facilities to assure the target populations are indigenous. The six populations were assumed genetically isolated from each other in the absence of nomadic pattern of rearing and regular cattle migration. The farming systems were analyzed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire by single visits to each location. Single visits were practiced, as there is no variation in farming system according to the period of the year. Morphometric measurements were taken during the visit and the genetic variation was assessed within and between five populations using 15 autosomal and two Y-specific microsatellite markers. The farming system analysis revealed that indigenous cattle are reared as a traditional practice in all the regions of the country under limited or no input situations. Since the low productivity masks its real contribution to the rural livelihood, the level of utilization was confounded within the attributes of respective farming systems. The contribution of indigenous cattle to total tangible income ranged from 0% to 90% in different regions reflecting the high variation in the purpose of keeping indigenous cattle. Integration with crop, especially with paddy was the common feature in systems across the regions. Morphometric measurements identified the specific phenotypic characteristics resulted by geographical isolation and selective breeding. Though vary according to the regional preferences, the compact body, narrow face, small horns and humps with shades of brown and black coat colour described the indigenous cattle phenotype in general. The diversity analysis based on microsatellite genotyping indicated that indigenous cattle in Sri Lanka has a high genetic diversity with average number of alleles per locus ranging from 7.9 to 8.5. Average heterozygosity of different regions varied within a narrow range (0.72 ± 0.04 to 0.76 ± 0.03). The genetic distances (DA) between regions were low (ranged between 0.085 and 0.066) suggesting a similar mixture of genotypes across regions despite the geographical isolation. However, two genetic clusters were visible though no relationship of those clusters with the geographical distribution of different regions could be observed. Introgression of taurine cattle was evidenced in one of the cattle populations (NC) as suggested by the Y-specific microsatellite analysis (author)

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