Sri Lanka reaffirms commitment to chemical weapons convention

Colombo, November 28 (Daily Mirro) - Sri Lanka reiterated its long standing commitment to the full, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation of the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) at the 29th session of the Conference of State Parties (CSP-29) to the Chemical Weapons Convention yesterday in The Hague, the Netherlands. 

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Netherlands, Rekha Gunasekera, who is also the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), delivered the National Statement at CSP - 29. 

While recognizing the progress made in the implementation of the Convention, Ambassador Gunasekera stated that it is vital for all to demonstrate sustained commitment to the obligations outlined therein, to achieve its ultimate success. She stated that Sri Lanka remains firmly opposed to any use or threat of use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody under any circumstances.

The Ambassador highlighted Sri Lanka's continued action to fulfil its obligation at the national level and outlined some of the work carried out by the National Authority of Sri Lanka in this regard. She also stated that Sri Lanka supports efforts for greater international cooperation in scientific and technology exchange for peaceful purposes that are in accordance with the Convention. Sri Lanka also looks forward to cooperation in addressing emerging technological challenges while capitalizing on the positive aspects that technology such as AI has to offer in relation to the chemical industry. Likewise, cooperation is also imperative to ensure that advancements in the field of chemistry do not fall into the hands of terrorists. 

Sri Lanka signed the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) on 14th January 1993 and ratified on 19th August 1994. In order to fulfill obligations under the CWC, Sri Lanka established a National Authority, currently under the Ministry of Defence. 

The CWC is the common name for the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. Its implementing body, located in The Hague, is the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and is comprised of 193 Member States, including Sri Lanka. The Conference of State Parties is currently ongoing from 25 - 29 November 2024.