Statement by Sri Lanka
First session of the 2024 CCW Group of Governmental Experts on emerging technologies in the area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (GGE on LAWS),4-8 March 2024
Agenda Item 5
Mr. Chair,
Let me congratulate you on assuming the role as the Chair of the Group and please be assured of the fullest cooperation and support of my delegation for the success of our work.
Mr. Chair,
We are pleased to note that over the past years, the mandate of the GGE on LAWS has evolved in a stronger and positive direction through the extensive deliberations of the Group. Today, we have before us, the most ambitious mandate since the establishment of the GGE entrusted ‘to further consider and formulate, by consensus, a set of elements of an instrument’.
Mr. Chair,
Emanating from the discussions of the meetings of the GGE held last year, Sri Lanka strongly believes that the mandate of the GGE on LAWS for this year should be interpreted in a manner that will allow a more holistic approach to cover possible ‘elements of an instrument’ and ‘other possible measures’ to address emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems.
With a view to organize the work of the GGE based on the new mandate to be more effective and outcome oriented and furthermore to make the objectives and focus more clearer in formulating ‘a set of elements of an instrument’, Sri Lanka supported a joint proposal on the topics for discussions at the First Session of the GGE on LAWS. In our view, we should not leave any of the elements unattended in the backdrop of rapidly evolving advanced technologies and automated functions of weapons powered by AI.
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me begin, Mr. President, by congratulating you on your election as the President of the Council. I assure you of my delegation’s full cooperation in discharging your duties.
Sri Lanka has over the years, engaged actively and constructively with the UN Human Rights Council, to enhance the multilateral framework for the promotion and protection of human rights.
Despite the severe constraints we faced, particularly in the recent past, we have continued to maintain such engagement with an extensive array of the helpful working methods of this Council that we believe are productive and beneficial to our people. Our recent engagements, including the UPR Review under the 4th Cycle in February 2023 and the ICCPR Review in March 2023, reflect our commitment to constructive dialogue on human rights and reconciliation.
Mr. President
Madam Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
I extend my felicitations to you Mr. President on assuming the Presidency of this Conference and assure you of my country’s fullest support in carrying out the important work of this Conference.
I also appreciate the commitment and the untiring efforts of the Indian presidency that preceded, towards building consensus through open and broad consultations.
I am addressing this important body at a decisive time in human history. The need is more vital than ever, for effective disarmament diplomacy.
Conference on Disarmament: Plenary meeting – Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Statement by Sri Lanka
Mr. President
On behalf of the Sri Lanka delegation, it is my pleasure to congratulate Ambassador Ray of India on assuming the first presidency of the Conference on Disarmament for the 2024 session.
Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC),
Twenty-First Meeting of State Parties, 20-24 November 2023
Statement by Sri Lanka – Agenda item 10 a – Assisting the Victims
Delivered by Mr. Rajitha Ambalampitiya, Head of Operations and Senior Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) officer of the National Mine Action Center (NMAC) of Sri Lanka on 21 November 2023
Thank you Mr. President,
First of all, allow me to express the Government of Sri Lanka’s sincere gratitude to the ISU of the Convention and GICHD for your continuous support to Sri Lanka’s mine action programme and guidance provided for victim assistance.
Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC),
Twenty-First Meeting of State Parties, 20-24 November 2023
Statement by Sri Lanka– General Exchange of Views
Delivered by Mr. Rajitha Ambalampitiya, Head of Operations and Senior Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) officer of the National Mine Action Center (NMAC) of Sri Lanka on 20 November 2023
Thank you Mr. President,
First of all, allow me to express the Government of Sri Lanka’s sincere gratitude to the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Convention and Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) for your continuous support to Sri Lanka’s mine action programme.
We are pleased to inform you that Sri Lanka’s mine action programme has engaged in several important activities, in a collaborative manner with all international and national partners.
- 2023 Meeting of High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW), 15-17 November 2023
- Eleventh Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions 11 – 14 September 2023
- Fourth Session of the open-ended working group on reducing space threats through norms, rules, and principles of responsible behaviours, 28 Aug – 01 Sep 2023