Nuclear weapons threaten nation
Christian activists have voiced growing fears over the nuclear
arsenals of South Asian neighbours calling them a direct threat to Sri
Lanka.
The Christian Alliance for Social Action (CASA) called upon the
government to do more on the international stage to help achieve nuclear
disarmament. At a nuclear disarmament seminar held in the Caritas Sri
Lanka auditorium "If one country used a nuclear weapon, it could damage
half the world," said a former United Nations under Secretary General
for Disarmament Affairs and a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United
States, Jayantha Dhanapala,
He said possessing nuclear weapons is a "crime against humanity" and
is a constant stimulus to other States to try to acquire them.
"There are more than 20,000 nuclear warheads. We cannot imagine the
danger of using such weapons," Dhanapala said.
Of particular concern to participants were the nuclear arsenals of
India and Pakistan, who have fought three wars since independence from
Britain.
"Pakistan and India keep nuclear weapons in their possession for
their own safety," said Convener of CASA Ainsley Joseph.
"But if they use them, Sri Lanka will also be badly affected," he
said.
Joseph said that he intends to set up a forum to raise awareness
about nuclear weapons and send a petition to the government, who in turn
should send it to all countries having nuclear arsenals.
"We plan to conduct awareness programs on this subject and encourage
our people to sign the international petition against nuclear weapons
organised by Global Zero," he said. Global Zero is an international
initiative launched in December 2008 to promote the elimination of
nuclear weapons. ucanews.com
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