Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and international security at the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on 25 February.

Addressing global delegates, Herath emphasised that international humanitarian law is at grave risk amid rising geopolitical tensions. He urged nations to restore trust in multilateral processes to ensure global peace and stability.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s longstanding dedication to disarmament, Herath pointed to the country’s 2023 accession to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). He stressed the need for legally binding Negative Security Assurances (NSAs) to protect non-nuclear states.

Sri Lanka remains an advocate for Nuclear Weapon Free Zones (NWFZs), supporting efforts to establish one in the Middle East. The country also plays a leading role in humanitarian disarmament, holding key positions in the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and previously presiding over the Cluster Munitions Convention in 2019.

Herath warned of the challenges posed by new technologies, including lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) and the militarisation of outer space. He called for legally binding measures to prevent an arms race and highlighted Sri Lanka’s role in sponsoring the first UN resolution on LAWS in 2023.

Reiterating the importance of multilateral cooperation, Herath urged nations to overcome divisions and work towards a shared vision for global security. “The time has come to stand against division and deterrence and speak in one voice,” he stated, affirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to making disarmament a reality.