Launch of Publications on Nuclear Disarmament Today

The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) will launch three publications on, i) Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and Sri Lanka, ii) Why Sri Lanka Should Ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and iii) Why Sri Lanka Should Accede to the Nuclear Ban Treaty (NBT). The foreword for the three publications has been provided by Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala; former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs and Patron-FDD.   

These three publications will be available in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages, and will include the treaty texts of the NPT, CTBT and NBT translated to Sinhala and Tamil languages. Previously, the nuclear related treaty texts were not available in the vernacular languages.These publications seek to help Sri Lankans understand such treaties in their own languages.   
Sri Lanka signed the NPT on July 1, 1968 and ratified it on March 5, 1979. Sri Lanka signed the CTBT on October 24, 1996, however, is yet to ratify it. Further, Sri Lanka is also yet to accede to the NBT which opened for signature on September 20, 2017. Publications on the CTBT and NBT highlights the importance of Sri Lanka’s ratification and accession to the CTBT and NBT without delay, in order to show the country’s support and commitment on the matter. In the past, Sri Lanka has taken a leadership in the nuclear disarmament sector; particularly in 1995, where Ambassador Jayantha 

Dhanapala chaired the historic NPT Review and Extension Conference.   

Former Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs H.M.G.S. Palihakkara; German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jorn Rohde; Nadee Guneratne, Programme Specialist Sri Lanka section for Women International League for Peace and Freedom; M.A.M. Hakeem Director FDD and Senior Lecturer Faculty of Law, University of Colombo and Vidya Abhayagunawardena, Coordinator FDD will grace the book launch. A short documentary film on nuclear weapons will be screened during the launch event.   The launch of the three publications will take place at the Sri Lanka Foundation, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7  at 4.00 p.m. today (January 21). Those who attend the book launch will be given complimentary copies of the three publications. The event is open to the public.