Sri Lanka. The National UNSCR 1540 implementation Priority Areas

Transcription

1 Sri Lanka The National UNSCR 1540 implementation Priority Areas

2 Sri Lanka became a part to the UNSCR 1540 in 2005 and provided a National Report and subsequent periodic updates. In its National Report, Sri Lanka clearly stipulated that it supports all efforts for non proliferation and disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction, in particular Nuclear Weapons. Sri Lanka does not produce, manufacture, possess, import or re export biological, chemical or nuclear weapons or any delivery system designed to carry Weapons of Mass Destruction.

3 In this context, Sri Lanka has become party to several international treaties/conventions/arrangements relating to the non proliferation or elimination of Biological, Chemical and Nuclear weapons, such as: Treaty of non proliferation of nuclear weapons (1979) Convention on Nuclear safety Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (1996) International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2007) Proliferation Security Initiative (2006) Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxic Weapons and on their destruction (1986) Convention on the prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (1994)

4 Nuclear Technology: The Atomic Energy Authority of Sri Lanka was established in 1969 under the Atomic Energy Authority Act no 19 of It is responsible for all activities related to peaceful applications of nuclear technology for socio economic development of the country. Chemical Weapons: Sri Lanka became a part to the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1994 and completed its domestic implementation in 2007 by Chemical Weapons Convention Act no 58 of Under this act, Ministry of Industrial Development was designated as the National Authority. This National Authority monitors the implementation of the CWC, by means of inspections. They have also carries our several awareness programmes for Chemical importers/exporters in Sri Lanka since 2007.

5 Biological Weapons: Sri Lanka became a party to the Biological Convention in 1986 and is yet to complete its domestic implementation of the Convention. In 2011, a draft Cabinet Memorandum was drawn to draft the necessary domestic legislation which implements the BTWC. The Ministry of Health was designated as the focal point to coordinate this process. However, Sri Lanka is yet to finalize this process.

6 Import/Export Controls The domestic legislation is already in place in connection with the import, manufacture, transport and use of, Nuclear, Chemical and Biological weapons. The legislation includes, the Import and Export Act of 1969 and special regulations framed under the sections 20(3) and (4) and 14 of this Act by Gazette notification in Moreover, the section 3 of the Customs Ordinance Customs Control on Transit and Transshipment of Goods was amended in 2007 (Gazette no 1517/19), providing powers to the Director General of Customs to seize, fortify and destroy any goods which are prohibited, restricted and contraband. These include the Weapons of Mass Destruction, Chemical and Biological products.

7 National Priorities in Implementing the UNSCR 1540 Biological Weapons Convention Current priority in Sri Lanka is to complete the domestic legislation to the Biological Weapons Convention. It is still at an embryonic stage, and the Ministry of External Affairs will be convening a stakeholder meeting to discuss the way forward. Import/Export Controls Sri Lanka is yet to make a gap analysis on the existing Importexport control laws with the international standards. Currently some discussions going on aimed at developing a comprehensive export control law in this regard.

8 Thank you