Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has urged that the legitimate expectation of non-nuclear weapons states to have unconditional, non-discriminatory and legally binding Negative Security Assurances (NSAs), should be guaranteed through the work of the Conference on Disarmament.
While noting that total elimination and non-proliferation remain the only guarantees against the use of nuclear weapons, he said Sri Lanka also remains hopeful to see a tangible way forward with the establishment of nuclear weapons-free zones particularly in the Middle East.
The minister further said that in keeping with the position that preserving the principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a cornerstone of world peace and stability, Sri Lanka strongly supports the early commencement of negotiations on a legally binding instrument to prohibit lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS).
while noting with concern the growing threats to peace in outer space due to the rapid development of space technology blurring the line between commercial and military activities, he added that Sri Lanka has consistently been supportive of negotiating a legally binding instrument in preventing an arms race in outer space and will continue to engage actively towards that goal.
“Sri Lanka wishes to recall the mandate of the Conference on Disarmament as a single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum and reiterates that all nations should collectively work towards overcoming the present challenges that hinder substantive outcomes, through inclusive dialogue and building trust and transparency,” he said.
Stating that the time has come to stand against division and deterrence and speak in one voice to define the shared vision for global peace and security through the disarmament agenda while honouring the collective responsibility to humankind, Minister Vijitha Herath reiterated that Sri Lanka stands ready to work with all nations to make this goal not just an aspiration, but a reality.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath made the remarks while addressing the United Nation’s 2025 High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament held yesterday. (Newswire)
