COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has started its first ever industrial chemical technical sessions and a top team from the Hague’s (Netherlands) OPCW- which conducted widely publicised Syrian chemical weapon inspections in October 2013–is here to upgrade Sri Lanka’s industrial chemical expertise to the next level.
Ms Grace Asirwatham (the Lankan born Deputy Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-OPCW) in Colombo said that the chemical safety and security measures help to prevent re-emergence of chemical weapons and misuse of toxic chemicals. SAARC region has become very important for our overview, thereby also engaging in intra-regional cooperation.
Joining the session to enhance Lankan industrial chemical handling are a members of a top team from the Hague’s (Netherlands) OPCW-which conducted widely publicised Syrian chemical weapon inspections in October 2013.
Reps from SAARC region SAARC Regional Countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan) and observing countries (USA, Qatar) were present at the session. Among the Lankan private sector firms taking part were Holcim Lanka, A Baur & Co, Janet Ayurvedic Ltd and Sanichem (Pvt) Ltd while reps from Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Police, and Sri Lanka Customs too were taking part.
“Chemical security is an area of increasing priority” said Deputy Director General Asirwatham, and added: “This is a very exciting time for OPCW’s efforts as the focus of our efforts gradually shift from destruction of chemical weapons to preventing their re-emergence. This is happening against the backdrop of changing strategic landscape, and a backdrop of impressive advances in science and technology. Also the increasing globalisation of chemical industry and a growing proliferation threat from non-state actors.
“The world has changed considerably since 1993 when chemical weapons convention was opened for signature. Advances in science and technology have created new risks. That is why enhancing chemical safety and security is so important for our collective efforts to reduce the risks posed by toxic chemicals.
Looking ahead we must be alert to both current and future challenges. To do this we need to focus on two key areas. First is the capacity building in state parties and secondly, creating a more robust safety and security culture. Measures to monitor chemical industry need to be updated and upgraded if they are to keep pace with the developments.
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an international treaty for the prohibition of the Development, Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. Sri Lanka ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention on 19th August 1994. Chemical Weapons Convention Act No. 58 of 2007 has been enforced by the Minister of Industry and Commerce and his Ministry since August 2008.