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The megaport initiative through the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration of the United States of America will be operational on a 24-hour basis in the Port of Colombo thus making it the first to embark on such a program in the South East Asian Region. This program will deter the illicit trafficking in nuclear and radio active material.

The Port of Colombo is considered the 'Hub of South Asia' with shipments largely to and from South Aisa, East Africa, Middle East and Southern Asian countries. In addition, shipments destined for Europe and the United States originate or transit here. In 2003, the port of Colombo ranked 32nd in the world of container traffic, with 89,336 twenty foot-equivalent units (TEU) shipped directly to the United States. The aim of the Megaports program is to deploy radiation detecting systems at the world's most important sea ports as part of global effort to check illicit movements of nuclear materials without impeding commerce or reducing the competitiveness of participating ports and nation.

Of Special concern are Special Nuclear Materials (SNM) and other radioactive isotopes that might be used in Radiation Dispersal Devices (RDD). The US Department of Energy's National Security Administration Office of second Line Defence (SLD) and Sri Lanka Government agencies, including Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) are engaged in establishing a self-sustained radiation detection program at the Port of Colombo, one of South Aisa's pre eminent transshipment ports.

A key element of radiation detection system will be the skill, knowledge and dedication of those who operate the equipment and implement the screening and inspection procedures.

The path to sustainability of the system as a whole is through a progression of enabling training activities and products that incorporate the skill sets, including operational procedures, alarm response procedures and equipment field service.

During his visits to the USA Minister of Ports, Aviation and Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera stressed the need for such an accurate and precise container security system at the Colombo Port and its importance on the region's transshipment security, took the initiative to get CSI implemented at the Port of Colombo.

In recognition of the high volume of trade between the Port of Colombo and Sea Ports in the United States of America and Sri Lanka's role as a transport hub for cargo originating in many countries and being convinced of the need to detect, deter and where necessary indirect illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive material including terrorist attempts to disrupt global trade or attempt to make use commercial shipping to further terrorist schemes; the Department of Energy of the USA entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Ports and Aviation through a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at controlling the risks.

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