The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism is pleased to announce that Sri Lanka’s Instrument of Ratification on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) was deposited with the United Nations on 16 September 2025, becoming a State Party to the Convention.
The ratification of the BBNJ agreement marks another milestone in Sri Lanka’s continued legacy of leadership in ocean governance
Sri Lanka has played an instrumental role in international maritime governance, most notably through its leadership in the development of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Sri Lanka actively engaged in the negotiation of the BBNJ Agreement since inception of discussions.
As a developing country, Sri Lanka is proud to be part of this historic journey to internationally recognize equitable access to and protection of ocean resources for the benefit of humanity. Sri Lanka, along with other developing nations, views the Agreement’s implementation as a means to enhance conservation and the sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
By ratifying the BBNJ Agreement, Sri Lanka will have the opportunity to benefit from fair and equitable sharing of resources such as marine genetic resources (MGRs) and digital sequence information (DSI) from areas beyond national jurisdiction. The Agreement also prioritizes capacity building and the transfer of marine technology, empowering developing countries like Sri Lanka to enhance its capabilities in conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.
Moreover, the Agreement will also enable Sri Lanka to work collectively with other nations to protect biodiversity, build climate resilience, and advance Sustainable Development Goals.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism
Colombo
17 September 2025
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka welcomes the convening of the Urgent Debate by the Human Rights Council at its 60th Session to discuss the unprovoked attacks against Qatar on 9th September, at the request of OIC and GCC countries.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka condemns the recent attacks on Qatar, which risk further escalating volatility and undermining regional security. Sri Lanka strongly emphasizes the need to exercise restraint and the importance of employing dialogue and diplomacy rather than military aggression over sovereign countries, while upholding the universally accepted international norms and laws.
The Human Rights Council has a special duty to address the devastating impact of continuing violence and hostility on the people in the Middle East region, especially the dire humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In this context, Sri Lanka calls on the Council to avoid double standards in its approach and the treatment of situations of human rights violations and ensure that the rights of all are promoted and protected equally regardless of geography and other considerations.
Thank you
Mr. President
Distinguished Delegates
Sri Lanka extends its warm congratulations to Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, Permanent Representative of the Philippines for assuming the Presidency of the Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. My delegation assures you Sri Lanka’s fullest support in achieving a productive and meaningful outcome of this meeting.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka remains convinced that this Convention represents a significant achievement in international humanitarian law as well as in the global disarmament landscape due to its comprehensive approach in mitigating the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions in all aspects. Our presence here today reaffirms our enduring commitment towards a world free from the devastating impact of cluster munitions. We recall that the Convention on Cluster Munitions has protected countless civilian lives from indiscriminate and widespread harm caused by cluster munitions, since its entry into force.
Today, we are convened here for the 13th Meeting of States Parties (13MSP) with clear expectation that our discussions will lead towards strengthening the implementation of the Convention and its universalization. It is vital to advance victim assistance, accelerate stockpile destruction, clearance and destruction of cluster munition remnants in affected areas, promote risk reduction education, especially among the youth, and enhance international cooperation and assistance. We must collectively identify and address the challenges in addressing these objectives. In addition, we believe that the 13MSP will set the stage for a more comprehensive review of the monitoring progress in implementing the Lausanne Action Plan with a view to prepare for the Third Review Conference of the Convention, which is scheduled for 2026, in Lao PDR and we congratulate Lao PDR for assuming the Presidency of the Third Review Conference.
Mr. President,
Cluster munitions, by their very design, are inherently indiscriminate. They disperse dozens or even hundreds of submunitions over a wide area.
This makes it impossible to distinguish between a military target and a nearby civilian population and hence one of the most fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL); the principle of distinction, is violated. Further, their spread in a wide-area and high failure rate, cause disproportionate harm to civilians while violating the principle of ‘proportionality’ in IHL. Therefore, this Convention’s legally binding provisions to prohibit use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions, is a vital step in upholding IHL.
Cluster munitions pose a significant threat, causing civilian casualties both during and after conflicts. The unexploded remnants remain on the ground as dangerous ordnance, capable of harming civilians; especially children, women, and farmers in their fields as well as damaging civilian infrastructure, even decades after ending conflict.
To eliminate the humanitarian impact and suffering caused by cluster munitions, the Convention on Cluster Munitions also mandates the destruction of stockpiles and the clearance of contaminated areas, in addition to prohibiting their use, production, and transfer. This safeguards civilian lives and prevents further suffering in post-conflict situations.
With a view to addressing these humanitarian impacts universally, we urge all States which are not party to the Convention to accede to this important humanitarian disarmament Convention and join the global disarmament community in condemning the use of cluster munitions which have devastating impact. We welcome the accession of Vanuatu as the 112th State Party to the Convention.
While noting that a large number of victims of cluster munition attacks are civilians, Sri Lanka also emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to support affected communities and survivors and strengthening international cooperation and assistance in achieving the Convention's goals.
As a country that has never used, produced, or stockpiled cluster munitions, and fulfilled its obligations under Article 1 of the Convention, Sri Lanka reaffirms its unwavering commitment to realizing the core objectives of the Convention.
President,
We also take this opportunity to appreciate the tremendous work and commitment being carried out by Director and the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Convention in assisting the implementation efforts and monitoring of the humanitarian obligations under the Convention.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka reiterates its commitment to working constructively with all States Parties to achieve our shared vision of a world free from cluster munitions.
I Thank you.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath concluded his visit to Geneva where he addressed the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on September 8, 2025, delivering the Government statement during the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka.
Minister Herath reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieving reconciliation through domestic processes and outlining the measures already taken by the Government for transformation to advance the rights and well-being of all Sri Lankans.
The Foreign Minister further reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s opposition to externally imposed mechanisms.
The Minister also met the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk where the discussion focused around the cooperation and assistance that the UN can provide to the Government in taking forward the measures undertaken within the country to promote and protect human rights. In this regard the need to address all human rights, including the economic, social civil and political rights, of all Sri Lankans, was emphasized. Minister Herath provided further updates on issues referred to in his statement to the Council, reiterating the need for time and space for the Government to carry them through to completion.
High Commissioner Volker Türk expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka and the facilitation provided by the Government and further underlined the historic opportunity the Government has to bring about lasting reconciliation in the country.
Minister Herath also met with the President of the Human Rights Council Ambassador Jürg Lauber of Switzerland, who welcomed the Minister’s visit as a symbol of high-level political engagement with the Council. Interacting with a large number of Ambassadors from like-minded countries who spoke in support of Sri Lanka during the Interactive Dialogue Minister Herath expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for their continued support and solidarity.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
14 September 2025
Addressing the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, during the Interactive Dialogue (ID) on Sri Lanka on 08 September 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath underlined the commitment and the political will of the Government for transformation in the country and to create a new political culture to advance the rights and well-being of all Sri Lankans. The Minister highlighted the progress made within a short period through the domestic processes towards building national unity and reconciliation while urging the Council to allow Sri Lanka time and space to achieve this objective.
43 countries spoke during the ID including Kuwait on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, the Philippines, Japan, Lao PDR, Thailand, Vanuatu, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Nepal, India, Zimbabwe, Viet Nam, China, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Türkiye, Belarus, Egypt, Venezuela, the Maldives, Cuba, South Sudan, the Sudan, the Russian Federation and Burundi.
Expressing solidarity with Sri Lanka, the above countries;
- Welcomed Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with the Human Right Council and the High Commissioner’s visit as a sign of the country’s enhanced cooperation with the Council;
- Acknowledged the significant developments and tangible progress, including ongoing legislative reforms in the country and encouraged the HRC and international community to support Sri Lanka in its nationally-owned processes;
- Questioned the allocation of resources to the external mechanism on Sri Lanka when vital mandates in the Council risk being unfulfilled due to resource constraints;
- Emphasized that externally imposed parallel processes risk polarization;
- Stated that imposition of country specific mechanisms on targeted countries undermines the Human Rights Council’s founding principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity, and non-selectivity;
- Expressed concerns at the double standards, politicization and instrumentalization of human rights to interfere into the internal affairs of countries;
- Underlined the importance of constructive dialogue and cooperation within the Council to reach productive results in the promotion of human rights;
High Commissioner Volker Türk appreciated the opportunity, to visit Sri Lanka in June this year, and to have open exchanges across the political spectrum, religious leaders and communities.
Sri Lanka’s delegation to the 60th Human Rights Council in Geneva was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and comprised Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka, Director General/United Nations and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dayani Mendis and the diplomatic officers of the Permanent Mission in Geneva.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
08 September 2025
Mr. President,
High Commissioner,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
I speak to you on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka at a time when my country has embarked on a historic journey towards transformational change. This journey is about democratic governance, human rights, inclusive economic growth and national unity.
Measures on International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA), 12 August 2025
Mr Chair,
As this the first time that my delegation is taking the floor, Sri Lanka joins others in expressing sincere gratitude to you, Mr. Chair, for your leadership of this Working Group on strengthening the BWC, one of the cornerstones of the global disarmament architecture. Please be assured of the fullest support and cooperation of Sri Lanka for the success of the deliberations at this session.
I also take this opportunity to thank the Friends of Chair groups, members of the ISU for their comprehensive work carried out so far in an inclusive approach.
Sri Lanka welcomes the rolling text and recognizes the value of its proposals while being mindful of the related financial implications.
Article X of the BWC is crucial for the Convention's implementation because it promotes international cooperation and the peaceful use of biological science. The peaceful use of biological science and technology holds immense potential for human advancement, from disease prevention to food security.
With regard to the Section A of the rolling text, we recognize that the promoting bio-security education and capacity building is critical for all States, particularly for developing and least developed countries which are yet to acquire the necessary resources, technologies, equipment, knowledge and capacities to face bio-security risks and global health challenges.
Therefore, improving the proposed measures and synchronizing their implementation together with ICA mechanism in a pragmatic way while understanding the specific needs for developing countries and ensuring equal access to developing and least developed countries will be vital in strengthening the Convention and its effective and universal implementation.
Towards this end, it is also important to identify complementarities and synergies of the activities by other relevant international and regional organizations with focus on bio-safety and bio-security for necessary collaboration while being mindful of avoiding duplication of the initiatives.
We wish to continue our engagement in discussing the relevant sections of the rolling text.
Thank you.
Measures on Compliance and Verification, 18 August 2025
Mr. Chair
My delegation wishes to thank you for presenting the proposed text on ‘Measures on Compliance and Verification’ under section D of the rolling text.
Sri Lanka supports negotiating a legally binding verification mechanism.
Absence of a robust verification mechanism, could lead to disparities in national compliance practices and national implementation process.
Sri Lanka also emphasizes that the verification mechanism should be applied to all States without any discrimination.
Therefore, Sri Lanka underlines the urgency and importance of negotiating a legally binding verification regime.
Sri Lanka is annually submitting its Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and values the Transparency and Confidence Building Measures, which could be complementary to the future verification mechanism. However, Sri Lanka emphasizes that the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) should not substitute a robust legally binding verification mechanism under the BWC.
Thank you
Measures on National Implementation of the Convention, 20 August 2025
Mr. Chair,
First of all, my delegation would like to thank you for presenting the proposed measures for national implementation under section E of the rolling text and also to the Friends of Chair for their comprehensive work.
Sri Lanka also wishes to thank the ISU for all the efforts in encouraging and facilitating national implementation through workshops for national focal points, training, sponsorships, technical assistance, and creating e-CBM Platform etc.
Mr. Chair,
National implementation remains a cornerstone of the Convention in its real-world operation across different continents. Biological agents and toxins have no boundaries, and they affect all countries regardless of their capacities to respond. Therefore, Sri Lanka perceives national implementation as a priority, particularly for developing countries which are vulnerable to biological threats, accidents, risks and global health challenges. Translating the BWC commitments into effective domestic laws and regulations in developing and least developed countries directly strengthens their public health systems, and their preparedness to respond to public health emergencies.
While noting that the BWC has near-universal adherence and most member states are from the Global South, facilitating developing and least developed countries for robust national implementation warrants more attention and assistance through the work of this Convention according to its mandate.
In this direction, my delegation believes that para 32 to 36 should capture the exact obligation under Article IV of the Convention “to take necessary measures to prohibit and prevent the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition or retention of the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment” as specified in the Article IV. Further it is important to capture the obligation under Article X to correctly reflect the broader aspects of peaceful uses of biological agents and toxins and international cooperation and assistance.
My delegation supports the establishment of national focal points in para 33 which is currently in effect and also the providing necessary resources to ISU to support national implementation efforts in para 36.
Mr. Chair,
National implementation is a primary way that developing countries can uphold their commitments under the BWC. However, the developing and least developed countries are facing significant challenges in national implementation due to limited resources and lack of technical expertise.
In the current context, digitalization, collecting data, establishment of efficient laboratory networks, storage of data, linking with different national authorities and establishing legal frameworks are important and remain as challenges to most of the developing states. Therefore, supporting the national implementation of the BWC by the ISU mentioned in para 36 should also capture diversified and concrete methods to assist States while understanding the challenges of the developing countries.
Let me also highlight a few ongoing initiatives by Sri Lanka in its national implementation to understand the importance of collaboration between developed and developing countries as well as with the ISU.
The National Inventory of Dangerous Pathogens (NIDP) which is a key step of national implementation in Sri Lanka was developed in 2022 with the technical and consultancy support extended by UNODA and the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) of the Netherlands and with financial support of the European Union (EU). Plans are underway to expand the National Inventory of Dangerous Pathogens (NIDP) into laboratories across all sectors and across the island.
As part of strengthening the domestic legal framework, the National Policy on Biosafety and Biosecurity has been finalized and awaiting approval by the Cabinet of Ministers. The Disaster Preparedness and Response Unit of the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka has also proposed to establish a National Secretariat for BWC in the future.
Mr. Chair,
It is obvious that Cooperation and Assistance with the UN and other International Organizations and Member States significantly enhance the process of national implementation of the BWC, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, we encourage strengthening networks and partnerships with developing and least developed countries to realize the objectives of the Convention at regional levels which could ultimately contribute to the universal implementation of the Convention.
My delegation also believes that establishment of the International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA) mechanism and Science and Technology (S & T) Review Mechanism are vital to strengthen national implementation efforts under the Convention.
Thank you.
Measures on Science and Technological development related to the Convention,21 August 2025
Mr. Chair
Sri Lanka wishes to share a few general comments on the measures on science and technological development related to the Convention based on the text that you have shared with us today.
- Sri Lanka supports the fact that the members of the Science and Technology Reporting Committee are serving in their individual capacity and the Committee considers gender and geographical balance. We believe that the Committee should operate in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner in a balanced approach. It is also important to ensure the sustainability of the operation of the Committee.
- In this direction, necessary flexibility may be required in striking the balance between numbers against balancing several criteria like geographical distribution, gender, level of expertise and qualification etc.
- Sri Lanka believes that a clear pre-defined selection criteria for experts is required to avoid any conflict of interest and the experts should be free from influence of the nominating government.
- As my delegation also highlighted before, Sri Lanka is of the view that the voice of the developing countries needs to be heard adequately by the Committee even if these countries are not in a position to nominate experts in the relevant fields.
- Given the rapid development in science and technology, we perceive the importance of nominating experts from diversified fields in a multidisciplinary approach.
Thank you
- Minister of Environment, Hon. Dr. Dammika Patabendi participated at the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC 5.2) held from 05-14 August 2025 in Geneva
- Sri Lanka Ratifies WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, Reaffirming Commitment to Ocean Sustainability and Sustainable Trade
- Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka addressed the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament on 30 July 2025 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland