Tuesday, 06 October 2026
Presenter: H.E.JayanthaJayasuriya
Location: New York
Sixth Committee of the General Assembly: 81st Session
Agenda Item 112: Measures to eliminate international terrorism
Statement Delivered by Sri Lanka
6 October 2026
Chair,
At the outset, Sri Lanka would like to congratulate Guyana and other members of the bureau on their election to the bureau of the Sixth Committee. We wish you success and assure you of Sri Lanka's full support throughout the session.
I would also like to thank the Committee for entrusting Sri Lanka with the chairmanship of the Working Group under this agenda item and assure that Sri Lanka is committed to discharging this responsibility to the best of our ability.
Chair,
My delegation reaffirms Sri Lanka’s unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms. Sri Lanka attaches great importance to the United Nations' central role in developing a comprehensive and coordinated international response to terrorism. The effective prevention and suppression of terrorism requires sustained international cooperation, including through the exchange of information, strengthening of national capacities, addressing the financing of terrorism, and preventing the movement and activities of terrorist groups and their affiliates.
Sri Lanka reiterates the importance of completing the negotiations on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. A universally accepted legal framework would further strengthen international cooperation and contribute to greater clarity and consistency in addressing terrorism in accordance with international law.
Chair,
Sri Lanka continues to strengthen its national legal and institutional framework to prevent and combat terrorism.
We are currently undertaking comprehensive reform of our counter-terrorism legislation. In February 2025, the Cabinet established a committee to further examine and improve the draft counter-terrorism legislation. Recently, the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, which is intended to address shortcomings in the existing Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act of 1979 was presented to the Parliament. This legislative process builds upon the Government’s earlier efforts to develop comprehensive counter-terrorism legislation.
Sri Lanka is well aware of and fully committed to fulfilling its obligations under chapter VII of the charter of the United Nations and the relevant Security Council resolutions adopted thereunder.
We further recognize the importance of addressing the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters. In 2025, the Government approved the preparation of legislation to establish an effective domestic framework addressing foreign terrorist fighters, including through the implementation of relevant obligations arising from Security Council resolution 2178 (2014).
Accordingly, Sri Lanka has gazetted a Bill to give effect to the UN Security Council Resolution 2178 concerning Foreign Terrorist Fighters and it is to be submitted to Parliament soon.
Sri Lanka is also strengthening its measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism. Following Cabinet approval in 2025, amendments were prepared to the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing Act, with the relevant Bills subsequently advanced for parliamentary consideration.
This initiative forms part of Sri Lanka’s broader efforts to strengthen compliance with internationally accepted standards relating to terrorism and terrorist financing.
Chair,
Effective counter-terrorism measures must also be supported by strong national institutions and international cooperation. Sri Lanka has therefore continued to strengthen cooperation between relevant national authorities and international partners, including in relation to information and intelligence sharing, law enforcement cooperation, and capacity-building.
Sri Lanka also recognizes that terrorism cannot be addressed through national action alone. International cooperation remains indispensable, particularly in preventing terrorist financing, disrupting terrorist networks, strengthening border and aviation security, facilitating mutual legal assistance and extradition, and preventing the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
At the same time, counter-terrorism measures must be undertaken in accordance with international law, including international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law, as applicable. Respect for the rule of law and due process strengthens the legitimacy and effectiveness of collective efforts to combat terrorism.
Chair,
Sri Lanka reiterates its commitment to working constructively with Member States towards a coherent, comprehensive and effective international legal framework against terrorism. We believe that international solidarity, genuine cooperation and respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations are essential to our collective efforts.
My delegation stands ready to contribute constructively to the work of the Sixth Committee and to efforts towards strengthening the international legal architecture for the prevention and suppression of terrorism and terrorism related activities.
I thank you, Chair.