Statement by Mr. Chatura Perera, Chargé d’ Affaires a.i.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

Cluster 1: Nuclear Disarmament and Security Assurances

 Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for 2026 Review Conference of Parties to the NPT

 

Mr. Chair, 

 

Sri Lanka congratulates you on your assumption of the Chairmanship and assures you of our full support.

Disarmament is the foundation upon which the NPT was built. Yet more than fifty years since its entry into force, that foundation is under strain. Nuclear-weapon states continue to modernize arsenals, elevate the role of nuclear weapons in their doctrines, and resist meaningful progress on Article VI. This status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable.

The NPT is not a license for indefinite possession of nuclear arms. It is a compact - one that rests on the assurance of complete, irreversible, and verifiable disarmament. That promise has not been kept.

Sri Lanka remains convinced that the existence of nuclear weapons is incompatible with international humanitarian law. Their use - or even threat of use - would constitute a grave violation of international norms, and a crime against humanity. Even their continued possession carries unacceptable risks. We live with the risk of catastrophic suffering every day, the Nuclear Weapons States do not disarm completely.

We therefore reiterate the urgent need for nuclear-weapon states to fulfill their legal obligations under Article VI. Declarations of intent are no longer enough. What is required are concrete, time-bound and transparent steps towards the elimination of nuclear arsenals - subject to regular reporting and scrutiny.

Pending total disarmament, we support the call for a legally binding instrument that provides unconditional security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon states. We also support a universal commitment to no-first-use as an interim measure, but not a substitute, for disarmament.

 

Mr. Chair, 

 

We remain gravely concerned by policies of extended nuclear deterrence and nuclear-sharing, which run counter to the spirit of the Treaty. The reliance on nuclear weapons by any state - whether through direct possession or alliance doctrines, undermines the credibility of global non-proliferation efforts.

Sri Lanka also stresses the urgent need for the entry into force of the CTBT. All states, particularly Annex 2 countries, must refrain from nuclear testing in all forms and bring the CTBT into effect without delay.

In this context, we welcome the entry into force of the TPNW. Sri Lanka’s accession in 2023 reflects our firm belief that the TPNW complements the NPT by reinforcing its disarmament pillar and advancing international norms.

 

Mr. Chair, 

The continued existence of nuclear weapons is not a sign of strength - it is a threat to our shared future – a gamble with the lives of both present and future generations. The world cannot afford further delay. Let us recommit to the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons - not as an aspiration, but as an achievable and urgent task.

I thank you.