The decision appeared after President Maithripala Sirisena in his position as the Minister of Defense obtained cabinet approval to sign the Convention.To date, 102 nations have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, also known as the Oslo Convention, which bans a country from using, producing, transferring or stockpiling cluster munitions.
The Convention, which is in accordance with the article 17(2) which talks about ‘Entry into force’ states, “the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the sixth month after the month in which the thirtieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession has been deposited.” Under such circumstance, the Convention will enter into force for Sri Lanka on September 1, 2018.
Two years back, there were controversies of Sri Lanka using Cluster bombs during the 30 year long civil war. However, the government disagreed with the statements and said it has never used cluster bombs and will not use them in future. Sri Lanka ratified the Disability Rights Convention (UNCRPD) on the 9th February, 2016 and acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT) on 13th December, 2017. Sri Lanka’s announcement is expected to be greeted and welcomed by many world leaders.
- Sinduri Sappanipillai
