Outer space cannot be turned into a battlefield: Sri Lankan UN envoy

27-Aug-2026

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Outer space is the common heritage of humanity and must be used exclusively for peaceful purposes for the benefit of all countries. Sri Lanka rejects any action aimed at turning outer space into a battlefield, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sumith Dassanayake, has stressed.

He made the remarks while addressing a disarmament conference held in Geneva. 

Speaking further, he said all space activities must be carried out in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty.

He said voluntary transparency and confidence-building measures could serve as interim measures to prevent the placement of weapons in outer space. However, such measures could not replace a comprehensive, legally binding and verifiable agreement acceptable to all parties.

Sri Lanka is also concerned about the serious threat posed by the growing volume of space debris in low Earth orbit, he said.

“Although developing countries may not directly possess space technologies, they are among those most affected by space debris because they depend on global space infrastructure,” he said.

He therefore called for firm and effective measures to control space debris.

At the same time, he stressed that measures aimed at addressing space threats should not result in discriminatory restrictions that prevent developing countries from accessing space technologies required to address climate change, disaster management and sustainable development.