Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2023-06-26

Hosting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) On-site Inspection (OSI) Integrated Field Exercise (IFE)-2025 by Sri Lanka

- Sri Lanka has signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test‑Ban Treaty on 1996‑10‑24 and Cabinet approval has been granted on 2023‑06‑12 to ratify the said Treaty. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test‑Ban Treaty Organization, in pursuant to Article IV of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test‑Ban Treaty has established a verification regime to carry out an On-site Inspection in order to prove whether a country has conducted a nuclear test/explosion. The Integrated Field Exercise programme has been introduced to accomplish the activities and functions assigned thereto and to provide training on testing equipment. As the Sri Lanka's National Technical Focal Point of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test‑Ban Treaty Organization, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has made a request to host the Integrated Field Exercise Programme-2025. According to the eligibility assessment conducted as per the said request, the area adjacent to the Maduru Oya National Park has been identified as suitable for conducting the relevant integrated field exercises. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Sri Lanka to take over the hosting of the Joint Field Exercise of On-Site Inspection - 2025, was approved by the Cabinet.