http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/02/01/new12.html
Indo-Lanka project likely to 'explore' Antarctica Inhospitable it may be, but the vast white expanse of the Antarctica may soon see a joint Indo-Lanka project as Sri Lanka has expressed interest in joining hands with India for future explorations of this land of the midnight sun. To this end, Sri Lanka has already contacted the National Centre for Antarctica and Ocean Research (NCAOR) to draw up a blueprint for bilateral co-operation in the continent of extremes. The NCAOR has in turn asked Sri Lanka to complete initial formalities with the Ministry of External Affairs before identifying areas of co-operation, sources told Lankapuvath. "Well allow their scientists to share our facilities. We've already had glaciologists from Malaysia and Poland on our teams. The Sri Lankans seem to have a genuine interest, and we will definitely consider their proposal", sources said. India had already decided to increase its research activities on the icy continent with a decision to open a third station there. "It will be about 600 km from Maitri. We have closed down the Dakshin Gangotri Station which became completely covered with ice. But Maitri is fully functional and we've initiated a whole range of new activities there", sources said. To improve its understanding of the continent, also known as the residence of blizzards, India has already set up an exclusive laboratory at Goa. "The laboratory will have the state-of-the-art facilities to study glaciers. Ice will tell the real story of sedimentation as it captures the most pristine form of water and each particle has a tale to tell", sources said. Ice cores will be collected from the Antarctica and transported to the Goalaboratory. "The samples will be kept in special boxes in the Transport ship and brought to Goa. We hope that a study of the Evolution of ice will help us understand more about the changes that the icy content is likely to undergo", sources said. - Lankapuvat -- Cheers, Gabe. Wimbledon - London England.
