Background

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is the common name for the convention on Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons and on their destruction. The CWC is an International treaty, which seeks to eliminate this class of weapons in a verifiable manner. It primarily addresses national programmes and indirectly, the threat of Chemical Terrorism.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the International Organization that was established in 1997 by the countries that have joined the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to ensure that the convention works effectively and achieves its purpose.

Sri Lanka ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention on 19th August 1994.

Sri Lanka including many countries throughout the world have companies, businesses involving the chemicals in its industries or factories and facilities concerning toxic chemicals and its precursors in its productions in Industrial, Agricultural, Research, Medical and Pharmaceutical and other peaceful purposes. Some of these same chemicals can also be used to make Chemical Weapons. Since the existence of such dual use chemicals, it is extremely necessary to monitor the activities of the Industry related to such chemicals.

Objective

As per the convention, each State Party in accordance with its constitutional process shall adopt the necessary measures to implement obligations under the Convention. In particular it shall

(a). Prohibit natural and legal persons anywhere on its territory or in any place under its jurisdiction from undertaking any activity prohibited to a State Party.

(b). Not permit in any place under its control any activity prohibited to a States Party.

(c). Extend its Penal Legislation enacted under para (a) above to any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention.

In order to fulfill its obligations under the Convention Sri Lanka shall establish a National Authority to serve as the National Focal Point for the effective liaison with the OPCW and other States Parties.

Based on the degree of risk and the extent of their commercial applications, certain chemicals are divided into 3 Schedules, which forms and integral part of the convention. Because of the dual use nature of these chemicals the National Authority is expected to monitor the import and use of these chemicals.

National Implementation Measures

a. Enacting new legislation to facilitate the enforcement of the convention.

b. Establish the National Authority to serve as the National Focal Point for effective liaison with Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and other States Parties.

The National Authority will be responsible for;

i. Preparing and submitting declarations under Article III & IV of the Convention.

ii. Adopt necessary measures to ensure that toxic Scheduled Chemicals and their precursors are only used for peaceful purposes.

iii. Subject chemicals listed in schedules 1, 2 and 3 to data monitoring and on site verification in accordance with part of verification annex under the convention. (Eg. Licence, Permit Schemes.)

iv. Develop National Protection Programmes in relation to use of Chemical Weapons and assist to develop Emergency preparedness and Medical management against Chemical Hazards.

v. Facilitating on the options for provision of assistance under Article X - Assistance and Protection against Chemical Weapons.