Three publications on nuclear disarmament and testing launched

The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) launched three publications titled ‘Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and Sri Lanka’, ‘Why Sri Lanka Should Ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)’ and ‘Why Sri Lanka Should Accede to the Nuclear Ban Treaty (NBT)’ on 21 January at the Sri Lanka Foundation on Independence Avenue, Colombo 7 at 4.00 p.m. 

The foreword for the three publications was provided by Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs and FDD Patron.   

The three publications were made available in Sinhala, Tamil and English, inclusive of the treaty texts of the NPT, CTBT and NBT translated into Sinhala and Tamil. Previously, the nuclear related treaty texts were unavailable in the vernacular languages. These publications seek to help Sri Lankans understand such treaties in their own languages.  

Sri Lanka signed the NPT on 1 July 1968 and ratified it on 5 March 1979. Sri Lanka signed the CTBT on 24 October 1996, however, is yet to ratify it. Further, Sri Lanka is also yet to accede to the NBT which opened for signature on 20 September 2017. 

The publications on the CTBT and NBT highlight 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 position of leadership in the nuclear disarmament sector; particularly in 1995, when Ambassador Dhanapala chaired the historic NPT Review and Extension Conference. 

Former Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H.M.G.S. Palihakkara; German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jorn Rohde; Programme Specialist of the Sri Lanka section of the Women International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Nadee Guneratne and University of Colombo Faculty of Law Senior Lecturer and FDD Director M.A.M. Hakeem graced the event.

The event was open to the public and was attended by local and foreign dignitaries, academia and keen university undergraduates. Complimentary copies of the three publications were given to event attendees.