Nuclear Terrorism and Theft at Borders

Abstract

Effectively managing country’s border against the proliferation of nuclear substance is a considerable security risk that is faced by the border protection agencies. These state owned border agencies are expected to maintain a firm control on nuclear material and their enriching technology and the means of delivery to prevent from falling into the hands of harmful nonstate actors. Immigration, Customs, Transportation, Intelligence, Police and Security agencies are expected to effectively address the volatile border security environment. With the increasing nuclearisation of states, nuclear theft has also become a common threat at borders. International treaties, domestic legislature and best vigilance practices are kept in place to manage the emerging threat. There are many collaborative actions initiated in the field of border management to curb nuclear dangers. It is evident that there are several cases reported in South Asian region, of stolen weaponusable fissile material which terrorists may be interested in having access to. In most of these incidents, material was stolen from a civil nuclear facility. Under these circumstances and given Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in international trade, the threats of international terrorism and theft towards Sri Lanka have become ever more real. On the other hand, overall nuclear security of South Asian States is fundamentally compromised by political instability and bureaucratic corruption. This paper intends to look at Sri Lanka’s current situation on nuclear security at her borders. The issue will be studied using primary and secondary data gathered at the borders. The author also intends to draw the attention of policy making elite on the strengths and weaknesses at the borders in order to effectively manage the nuclear threat