Local News Update: ‘’The government has decided to establish the National Authority in the Ministry with the intention of ensuring the peaceful use of the Scheduled Chemicals in the industry without hindering their proper functioning’’ Defence Ministry Secretary Major General (Rtd) Kamal Gunaratne WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil said.
He said Sri Lanka had already established the full implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in the country through an Act passed by the Parliament of Sri Lanka in the year 2007 and the Government had a proper system of implementing the Convention mainly through the National Authority established under the Ministry of Defence.
Defence Secretary graced the opening session as the Chief Guest of the three-day seminar – the Chemical Weapons Convention and Chemical Safety and Security Management for Member States of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the Asian Region- held at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, today (3 December 2019).
He said the Defence Ministry facilitated the industry’s needs while ensuring the effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
“Elimination of Chemicals used in none peaceful means is a responsibility of all. Despite all the precautions taken, there are incidents where Chemicals are being used in mass destruction. The implementation of sound Chemical management is found to be of prime importance,” he said.
The three-day conference, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of Chemical Weapons Convention and chemical safety and security policy and guidelines to prevent chemical accidents and the potential misuse of toxic chemicals in Asian Region.
The conference National Authority for implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) is under the purview of MoD.
Director of NACWC Mr. Jayantha Edirisinghe,Additional secretary (Defence) of MoD Mr. Anuradha Wijekoon, Director General of United Nations and Human Rights at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr.M.R.K. Lenagala, senior ministry officials, Military Liaison Officer of MoD, Fire Chief of Colombo Fire Service Department, Chief of National intelligence and distinguished invitees were also present at the inaugural session.
