Statement by Mr. Chatura Perera, Minister of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations: First Committee – Cluster 3 – Outer space
(disarmament aspects)
80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Mr. Chair,
At the outset, my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Allow me now to make a statement in our national capacity.
Mr. Chair,
For Sri Lanka, as for all nations, space is not a frontier of exploration, but a domain of our shared aspirations: to advance knowledge, to cooperate in peace, and to ensure that progress benefits all humankind. It is in this spirit that Sri Lanka has long recognized outer space as the common heritage of humanity, to be preserved, protected, and used for exclusively peaceful purposes.
It is because of this shared heritage that we are deeply worried about any attempt to change outer space into a “warfighting domain” or the “next battlefield.” Doctrines that seek to weaponize the last frontier will risk unleashing consequences that endanger us all. Sri Lanka, therefore, joins NAM in rejecting such characterizations and in reaffirming that the exploration and use of outer space must serve only peaceful ends and the benefit of all peoples.
Mr. Chair,
Sri Lanka highlights the cardinal importance of strict compliance with existing arms limitation and disarmament agreements relevant to outer space, and with the legal regime that governs its use. We strongly support the early commencement of substantive negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a legally binding, verifiable instrument to prevent an arms race in outer space (PAROS).
To this end, we continue to attach importance to the draft treaty on the “Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects” (PPWT), presented by the Russian Federation and China, as well as the consensual adoption last August of the report of the Group of Governmental Experts established under resolution 77/250. Such multilateral initiatives provide a solid basis and an important opportunity to advance towards a comprehensive, binding framework that would keep outer space peaceful for future generations.
We also note with appreciation the adoption by the General Assembly of resolutions 79/19, 79/20 and 79/51, which reaffirm the importance of preventing an arms race in outer space, including through the principle of “no first placement” of weapons. But, while transparency and confidence-building measures play a useful role in reducing mistrust, they must never be viewed as a substitute for a binding international instrument on PAROS.
Mr. Chair,
Sri Lanka is also mindful of the continued development of strategic missile defense systems, which risk undermining stability and accelerating an arms race in outer space. As a developing country, we emphasize that outer space must not become a ground for geopolitical competition, nor should unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) hinder the right of developing nations to benefit fully from space science and technology.
Outer space should be free for exploration and use by all States, without discrimination, on a basis of equality, and in accordance with international law. This principle is not only enshrined in space treaties but is also central to our collective sustainable development. Sri Lanka, therefore, stresses the need for international cooperation in advancing peaceful applications of space technologies; we must work together on everything from weather forecasting and disaster management to climate monitoring, navigation, agriculture, and communications. For island developing states like Sri Lanka, such technologies are crucial tools that enhance resilience, support livelihoods, and safeguard communities against natural hazards.
Mr. Chair,
As the main sponsor of the resolution on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, tabled with Egypt, Sri Lanka reaffirms its readiness to work with all partners in advancing this collective goal. The prevention of the weaponization of outer space is a moral imperative-one that determines whether the skies far above remain a realm of hope, discovery, and cooperation, or are instead transformed into another theater of fierce rivalry and conflict.
Space remains a great hope; let us not allow, beyond this planet, the mistakes that continue to haunt us on Earth. We must ensure that outer space remains a domain that unites, not divides; that inspires, not threatens; that advances the welfare of all, not the interests of a few.
Thank you.