Sri Lanka ratifies Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)

Sri Lanka reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation by announcing its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

This assurance by the state was made in a In a recent press briefing on the EU with the Article 14 Conference of the Comprehensive Nuclear Ban Test Treaty.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ali Sabry who participated in this Press Briefing as the Sri Lankan delegate revealed that Sri Lanka’s ratification of the CTBT aligns with the country’s long-standing and consistent policy on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Above all, Sri Lanka was among the first signatories of the CTBT in October 1996, mere days after the treaty was opened for signature and was also to be the 13th to sign a facility agreement with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) in 1996, leading to the establishment of an auxiliary seismic station in Pallekale, Kandy.

Sri Lanka has also acknowledged the treaty’s 26th anniversary this year and highlighted its importance as a cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime as the CTBT represents a significant collective confidence-building measure against nuclear testing, effectively deterring the nuclear arms race during the Cold War era.

Sri Lanka emphasized the CTBT’s critical role in maintaining global security because of the rising geopolitical tensions and recent challenges at the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference.

Sri Lanka called upon all the states, notably those whose ratification is essential for the treaty’s entry into force, to take concrete steps toward ratification.

Sri Lanka’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament remains steadfast, and the nation pledged its unwavering support to achieving these critical objectives and the atification of the CTBT reflects its enduring commitment to global peace and security through nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.