‘We also agree with the Secretary General that, the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes should not have unintended consequences’.

In this regard, Sri Lanka attaches importance to the technical cooperation rendered by the IAEA to developing countries. We fully support any international initiative to enhance and strengthen nuclear energy development related technical cooperation activity within and out of the IAEA framework. We hope that advancements in technology will include new safety measures in the generation of nuclear energy and the disposal of waste material, he continued.

Dr. Kohona made theses statements yesterday (06 May) at the 2010 NPT (Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) Review Conference in New York, USA. Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will meet from 3–28 May 2010 at United Nations Headquarters.

We believe that the time is opportune for us to be united in purpose and in action to move towards a nuclear weapons free world. The complete elimination of nuclear weapons can hopefully be a reality, he further said.

The apparent political will needs to be augmented with action to make a difference, he stressed.

We agree that in order to universalize the Additional Protocol, it is necessary to assist developing countries that are willing to accept such a safeguard standard, so that they can improve their legal and technical infrastructure, Dr. Kohonda emphasized.

My delegation is convinced that the establishment of internationally recognized nuclear weapon free zones on the basis of agreements entered into freely among the States of the zone concerned, strengthens world and regional peace and security, reinforces the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and contributes to the achievement of nuclear disarmament.

Sri Lanka believes that there is a need to have an institutional mechanism with a standing bureau to guide the NPT process Kohona emphasized that in particular for nuclear weapon states, they need to "recognize that we can aspire to and realize a holistic concept of security only if there is a serious commitment to and practical steps towards eventual nuclear disarmament while pursuing nuclear non-proliferation measures."

The NPT is a landmark international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. The NPT represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States.

The 2010 Review Conference is expected to consider a number of key issues, including: universality of the Treaty; nuclear disarmament, including specific practical measures; nuclear non-proliferation, including the promoting and strengthening of safeguards; measures to advance the peaceful use of nuclear energy, safety and security; regional disarmament and non-proliferation; implementation of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East; measures to address withdrawal from the Treaty; measures to further strengthen the review process; and ways to promote engagement with civil society in strengthening NPT norms and in promoting disarmament education.