By Yohan Perera   
Whilst indicating that Russia is always willing to assist Sri Lanka to enhance its power sector a top Russian diplomat yesterday said the ball is in the court of the Sri Lankan government when it comes to the proposed 300 MW nuclear plant that is to be built with Russian assistance.   

Sri Lankan Ambassador in Russia Janitha Abeywickrama Liyanage announced in June this year that the government of Sri Lanka has reached a deal with Russian nuclear giant Rosatom to build a nuclear power plant that may run two reactors and generate 300 megawatts of energy.   
“We have discussed the matter with Sri Lanka on the nuclear power plant but it is the Sri Lankan government that has to make the decision. Your government is the decision maker. We hope that there will be an answer soon,” Russian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Levan Dzhagaryan said in response to Sri Lankan journalists at a media conference held in Colombo to announce the World Youth Festival which is to be held in Sochi, Russia from March 1 to 7 next year.

   
“I have had a discussion with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and our discussion was centred on economic interests and on the situation in Ukraine,” Mr. Dzhagaryan said.     Earlier First Secretary Embassy of Russia in Sri Lanka Maria L. Popova announced that around 20,000 youth between the ages of 16 to 35 are expected to participate in the World Youth Festival 2024. “A total of 10,000 youth from the Russian Federation and 10,000 more from the rest of the world will participate in the festival. They attend the event after they pass a competitive selection process. Sri Lankan youth MPs and others from different spheres will get the opportunity to participate in the event,” it was announced.    The festival agenda includes discussions, educational, cultural and sports programmes and the Olympic Park in Sochi will serve as the primary venue of the event.