Deputy Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr Ajith Perera, with the Director-General and senior OPCW officials.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr Ajith P. Perera, visited the OPCW on 15 April 2015 and met with the Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü.
Ambassador Üzümcü acknowledged Sri Lanka’s role in implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including its contributions to OPCW training and assistance activities aimed at enhancing international cooperation and capacity-building efforts. The Director-General updated the Deputy Foreign Minister on progress made by the OPCW on chemical disarmament and non-proliferation, and discussed ways of further enhancing cooperation between the Organisation and Sri Lanka. He further expressed OPCW’s support and assistance towards the full and effective implementation of the CWC in the country.
Deputy Foreign Minister Perera highlighted Sri Lanka’s long standing cooperation with the OPCW as one among the State Parties that signed the CWC upon its opening for signature. He acknowledged the OPCW’s efforts towards disarmament and non-proliferation, and assured the Director-General of Sri Lanka’s serious commitment and meaningful contributions to achieve the goals of the CWC. He thanked the OPCW for the continuous training assistance provided to Sri Lanka and expressed interest in exploring the possibility of broader cooperation with the OPCW.
Both parties underscored the necessity of meaningful engagement with each other to ensure the peaceful use of chemistry and to address future challenges in chemical terrorism related matters.