Imagine a shipping container filled with seemingly ordinary cargo, secretly concealing radioactive or nuclear materials capable of threatening national security. How can international trade maintain efficiency while accurately identifying and intercepting such potential threats? Sri Lanka Customs is actively strengthening its capacity to address these challenges through a program called Radiological and Nuclear Detection Awareness (RANDA).
RANDA Program: A Crucial Step in Sri Lanka's Nuclear Security Enhancement
With support from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration/Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NNSA/NSDD), Sri Lanka Customs conducted a four-day national-level radiological and nuclear detection awareness training from November 6 to 9, 2023. This training forms a key component of the RANDA program, designed to improve customs officers' awareness of threats posed by uncontrolled radioactive and nuclear materials while enhancing their capacity to respond.
Training Objectives: Comprehensive Enhancement of Detection Capabilities
The core objectives of the training included:
- Risk awareness: Ensuring customs officers fully understand the severe consequences of illicit trafficking of radioactive and nuclear materials.
- Detection skills: Enhancing officers' ability to effectively identify and intercept such materials using specialized equipment and techniques.
- Legal framework: Strengthening understanding of relevant international and domestic laws to ensure compliance during detection and interception operations.
- Risk management: Applying risk management principles to develop targeted strategies that minimize potential threats.
- International cooperation: Learning about initiatives by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) to enhance global collaboration against nuclear threats.
Training Content: Combining Theory with Practice
The comprehensive curriculum covered:
- Overview of radiological and nuclear threats, including material types, characteristics, potential uses, and associated hazards.
- Customs' critical role in preventing illicit trafficking of such materials.
- Detailed analysis of international and domestic legal frameworks governing radioactive and nuclear materials.
- Transport methods, packaging requirements, and safety measures for radioactive shipments.
- Risk management principles for threat identification, assessment, and response planning.
- Operation and maintenance of various radiological and nuclear detection equipment.
- Protocols for proper alarm response to ensure personnel safety and effective incident control.
Program Highlights: Field Visits and Global Collaboration
Key features of the training included:
- A field visit to Colombo's major port, allowing hands-on experience with detection procedures and equipment operation.
- Virtual lectures by IAEA and UNOCT experts showcasing global advancements in nuclear security.
- Instruction from a team of seasoned experts from Sri Lanka Customs, WCO, and NSDD.
Outcomes: Strengthening Frontline Operational Capacity
Twenty-five frontline Sri Lanka Customs officers completed the training, significantly improving their detection capabilities. Customs Director General Achara Chandra Sekera acknowledged WCO's support during the opening ceremony, emphasizing officers' pivotal role in nuclear threat prevention.
Sustained Investment: Building Robust Nuclear Defenses
The RANDA program represents Sri Lanka Customs' commitment to nuclear security through:
- Regular training to maintain cutting-edge expertise.
- Continuous equipment upgrades for improved detection accuracy.
- Enhanced intelligence sharing with international partners.
- Development of comprehensive emergency response protocols.
These measures position Sri Lanka Customs to effectively combat illicit trafficking of radioactive and nuclear materials, contributing to both national security and global nonproliferation efforts.