The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York deposited the instrument of accession to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on March 01.

President Maithripala Sirisena, as the Minister of Defence, obtained the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to accede to the CCM also known as the Oslo Convention.

“Sri Lanka’s accession to the Convention is a reflection of the country’s recognition of the widespread and long-term impact of such weapons and their negative consequences for economic and social development, particularly in former conflict affected areas.”  

“It also signifies Sri Lanka’s continuous commitment to multilateral efforts in the field of disarmament,” the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN said in a statement. 

The CCM addresses the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm caused to civilians by cluster munitions, through a categorical prohibition and a framework for action.

Sri Lanka is the 103rd State Party to the CCM.

In accordance with its article 17 (2), the Convention will enter into force for Sri Lanka on 1 September 2018.

Although various parties have made allegations that Sri Lanka used cluster bombs during the armed conflicts, there is no evidence that Sri Lankan security forces had used cluster munitions, a recent statement on cabinet decisions said.

“Sri Lanka has never used cluster munitions during the war and the Government of Sri Lanka is of the stance that cluster munitions will not be used in the future either,” the statement said.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) prohibits all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Cluster Munitions. The CCM was adopted in Dublin on 30 May 2008. The Convention entered into force on 1 August 2010 and became binding international law after ratified by 30 States had ratified it.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka became the 163rd nation to accede to the anti-personnel mine ban convention last year, in supporting the ongoing landmine clearance program.