Chemical Weapons Convention very important milestone- Industrial Minister [Monday, June 5, 2006 - 11.30 GMT]

Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama said that the Chemical Weapons Convention could be identified as a very important milestone in the global peace process among international disarmament efforts and that this convention was responsible for the banning of a large number of weapons, which could carry out mass destruction.

The Minister was inaugurating a two day workshop held at the Galle Face Hotel organized by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Sri Lanka National Authority which is responsible for implementing its activities in Sri Lanka. The relevant partner attended this workshop in order to regularize the proposals and responsibilities included in the Chemical Weapon Convention.

Minister Welgama said, "Sri Lanka does not produce or stockpile Chemical Weapons. But, many chemicals under this convention are imported for civilians needs. Our country only has chemicals sufficient for our industrial products. Moreover, according to this convention after the implementation of its rules and regulations regarding industries. The National Authority established for the purpose of the National implementation of this convention is designated under my ministry. This authority has been entrusted with the carrying out of the certification and the necessary supervisory and implementation activities to ensure that the relevant chemicals are used for the said industries without any hindrance to industrialists who are using, importing or trading chemicals for industries."

He further saidthat the Chemical Weapons Conventions bill had already been prepared and that quick steps would be taken to obtain Cabinet Approval for it; and thereafter, steps would be taken to get the Act approved by Parliament.

"The task of the OPCW is to create a world sans chemical weapons. Already 178 countries of the world including Asian countries have signed this convention. It is 95% of the world population. Only less than 10 countries have not yet signed this convention. According to this convention implemented in April 1997 the declared chemical weapons prohibition capacity has been inactivated. Furthermore, actually 2/3 of declared weapons have been destroyed or utilized for harmless activities. Moreover, declared weapons quantities and stockpiles have been listed. The complete banning of chemical weapons from the world is a challenging task for this. The total co-operation of the international community is needed", said representative of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons V.B. Dhavle.

Ms. Liza Tabassi stated the facts regarding the responsibilities and rights of the Government parties according to the Chemical Weapons Convention for this purpose officers representing the institutions responsible in this regard from the Sri Lanka Custom, Import Export Control Department, Government Analysts Department, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Disaster Management, Sri Lanka Environmental Authority, Excise Department and University of Colombo and the University of Moratuwa participated at this convention.

The coordinator of the Sri Lanka National Authority regarding chemical weapons convention Col. S.A.S. Siriwardena, Additional Secretary of the Industrial Development Ministry Titus Jayawardena and Director Asitha Senevirathne addressed the inaugural session of the workshop.

The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (otherwise known as the Chemical Weapons Convention or CWC) was opened for signature with a ceremony in Paris on 13 January 1993—130 States signed the Convention within the first two days.

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Last Updated Date: June 5, 2006 -11.30 GMT