Sri Lanka reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to the humanitarian objectives of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and to eliminating the threat posed by cluster munitions worldwide at the Third Review Conference of States Parties to the Convention, being held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, from 14 to 18 September 2026.
Addressing the High-Level Segment of the Conference, the Head of the Sri Lanka Delegation, Manisha Gunasekera, Additional Secretary, United Nations and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, underscored that any erosion of international norms should not undermine the humanitarian gains achieved through the Convention.
Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global security environment, Sri Lanka expressed concern over the heightened risk of the use, production and transfer of cluster munitions in recent conflicts, and unequivocally condemned their use by any actor and under any circumstance, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism.
Sri Lanka called upon all States, particularly those possessing large stockpiles, to cease the production and transfer of these weapons and to commit to their total elimination. The Head of Delegation recalled Sri Lanka’s historic accession to the Convention in 2018 and highlighted the country’s leadership and active engagement within the Convention, including its Presidency of the Ninth Meeting of States Parties in 2019 and its subsequent role as Vice-President of the Bureau for four consecutive years.
Sri Lanka emphasized that this proactive engagement reflects the country’s continued commitment to the universalization and effective implementation of the Convention. Observing that the Convention is a historic milestone in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and global disarmament, the Sri Lanka delegation highlighted the continuing humanitarian consequences of cluster munition remnants, including unexploded submunitions that can contaminate land for decades and affect generations.
The delegation called for continued progress in victim assistance, stockpile destruction, clearance of cluster munition remnants, and risk-reduction education, particularly among children and youth, as well as enhanced international cooperation and assistance. Sri Lanka also emphasized the importance of integrating victims into broader national disability, health and social welfare frameworks through survivor-centred approaches and inclusive socio-economic reintegration.
The Head of Delegation welcomed the core Outcome Documents before the Third Review Conference, which provide an important framework for collective action over the next five years. In particular, she welcomed the Vientiane Capital Action Plan (VCAP) 2027–2031, noting its forward-looking approach building on the Lausanne Action Plan, the statement said.
She also welcomed the Outcome Documents’ focus on maintaining compliance, addressing newly discovered stockpiles and intensifying efforts towards the universalization of the Convention. Sri Lanka welcomed the increased emphasis in the VCAP on integrating environmental impacts and climate-risk assessments into clearance, survey and stockpile-destruction activities.
It also welcomed the Plan’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and the United Nations agendas on Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security. While supporting quantitative targets in the Action Plan, Sri Lanka emphasized the importance of practical and standardized methodologies for measuring progress.
The delegation called for affected States with limited administrative capacity to be supported through simplified reporting mechanisms, capacity-building and enhanced international technical cooperation. The Head of Delegation congratulated Thongsavan PHOMVIHANE, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on his able stewardship of the Third Review Conference, and commended the Government of Lao PDR for its commitment to the Convention and for the excellent arrangements as host country.
Sri Lanka also welcomed Nigeria, South Sudan, Vanuatu and Timor-Leste as States that joined the Convention since the Second Review Conference, noting that their ratification or accession further strengthens the universalization of the Convention, it added.
In conclusion, the Sri Lanka delegation reaffirmed its readiness to work closely with the Presidency, States Parties, international organizations and civil society organizations towards the effective implementation of the outcomes of the Third Review Conference and the continued advancement of the humanitarian objectives of the Convention. The Sri Lanka delegation to the Third Review Conference also included Tharushi Kumarasiri, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
