Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, has voiced support for disarmament initiatives including legally binding Negative Security Assurances for non-nuclear states and the creation of Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones. At the UN Human Rights Council, he discussed the risks posed by AI in weaponry and advocated for prohibitions on autonomous lethal weapons and arms racing in outer space.
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, expressed the country’s commitment to global disarmament, emphasizing support for legally binding Negative Security Assurances for non-nuclear states. He advocated for the creation of Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones, especially in the Middle East, during the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament at the UN Human Rights Council.
Minister Herath highlighted the threats to International Humanitarian Law and stressed the importance of rebuilding trust in multilateral processes amidst rising geopolitical tensions. He reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s dedication to disarmament through its participation in key treaties, including the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, both ratified in 2023.
Addressing emerging threats from technology, he underscored concerns regarding the weaponization of artificial intelligence and the militarization of outer space. Sri Lanka advocates for negotiations to establish a legally binding instrument aimed at prohibiting lethal autonomous weapons systems and averting an arms race beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Sri Lanka has reiterated its support for global disarmament through various treaties and the promotion of Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones. The country has raised alarms about modern threats such as AI in weaponry and the militarization of space, advocating for international agreements to regulate these issues. By pushing for legally binding security assurances and negotiations against lethal autonomous weapons, Sri Lanka aims to contribute to international peace and security efforts.
Original Source: www.adaderana.lk
