2nd February 2022 , More Info
- This on-line workshop is a capacity-building initiative within the framework of Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention to support the OPCW Member States to strengthen participants ' capacity with initial and advanced incident site management and information collection approaches & principles, by the most innovative information collection techniques (e.g. (i) identify, (ii) collect, analyse and (iii) collate Technical Information (TECHINT) including (iv) sampling (pre & post incident)) involving Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) and Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TIC)
2nd February 2022 , More Info
- The objective of the online course is to support participating States Parties theoretically enhance their abilities, skills and reinforce national instructors’ knowledge to conduct training to first responders in how to design and conduct a standard training course on protection against chemical weapons and other toxic chemicals, as well as in how to manage chemical incidents.
2nd February 2022 , More Info
- The aim of the workshop is to promote the use of chemistry related to the Convention and to enhance national capacities in regional development. The specific objectives of the workshop are to: (a) to provide an opportunity for participants to consider and discuss specific chemical safety and security management issues related to chemical processes that have a direct bearing on the effective implementation of the Convention; and (b) contribute to the sharing of information and the exchange of experiences regarding practical management programs.
25th February 2022
The Federal Government of Germany, the University of Wuppertal, and the Technical Secretariat (hereinafter “the Secretariat”) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) wish to inform OPCW Member States about an online course on explosion protection and safety management in the chemical process industries for Member States in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
7th March 2022
With the industrial development during the past decade, Sri Lanka is experiencing chemical disasters which can be observed more frequently than early days. Such events include fires, explosions, leakages or releases of toxic and hazardous materials that can cause disaster situations including people illness, injury, disability or death, damages to property and natural environment. Further, modern terrorism had experienced by using Chemical Weapons for mass destruction and to develop homemade explosives for their terrorist activities.
NACWC as one of the chemical regulating authorities in Sri Lanka and the organization for providing technical expertise in any chemical emergency situation in the country has planned to conduct a workshop on “Emerging Chemical Threats for National Security”. The programme is scheduled to be conducted on 24<sup>th</sup> March 2022 as one day programme focusing on the first responder units of Tri-forces, STF, Police, Coast Guard, College of Military Medicine, Fire Brigade and 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation. The venue will be the Sappers Leisure Bay (SALEBA) Auditorium, Army Camp, Mattegoda.
This programme is comprised with following guest lectures;
a. Dr. Rohan Perera (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) will conduct a lecture on “Emerging Chemical Threats and New Trends”.
b. Dr Padmakumara Jayasinghe (University of Colombo) will conduct a lecture on “Emerging Natural Disaster Risk and potential to generate Chemical Emergencies”.
c. Prof. P.B. Terney Pradeep Kumara (University of Ruhuna) will conduct a lecture on “Case Study on X-press pearl Disaster, Overview of Responder Operation, Challenges and Lessons learned”.
21st March 2023
As a regulatory body, NACWC believes that enhancing the awareness of the regulatory frame-work to the scheduled chemical users is more beneficial during service providing more efficiently and effectively.Accordingly the National Authority has organized a half-a-day (From 8.30 am to 1.30 pm) awareness Programme on 21st March 2023 at Light House Galley, Chaithya Road, Colombo.
17th May 2023
The objective of this International Training Course for Incident Commanders is to help participating States Parties enhance the abilities and skills of their officers in charge of chemical incidents, and thus increase the ability to respond adequately to incidents associated with the intentional or accidental release of chemical warfare agents or toxic industrial chemicals.
17th May 2023
Lecture assistance was given by the NACWC Staff for the CBRN basic training programme conducted by 14th Engineers regiment at Army Camp Mattegoda on 17 May 23. Sixty five (65) trainees including Officers of SLE regiment were participated to this programme.
During the session, participants were able to enhance their knowledge on basics of the chemical weapons convention, chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals.
19th May 2023
Sri Lanka Fire Service Department is the most responsible responding agency for responding to
chemical emergencies in the country. The success of chemical emergency response activities highly
depends on the responder’s operational competencies, equipment capabilities, and approach
technics to incidents. National Authority has observed several weaknesses and incompetencies with
the responding agencies.
Hence, National Authority is scheduled to be conducted a three-day capacity-building program for
the Sri Lanka Fire Service Department, Colombo, and other fire units scattered in the Western
Province covering particular aspects of Chemical Emergency Management. Program details are given
below.
23rd May 2023
The overall objective of the forum is to create a platform for sharing lessons learned and best practices in chemical safety and security management, in addition to learning about the policies adopted by States Parties to foster international cooperation. The forum will offer an introduction to the Convention, The Hague Ethical Guidelines, and discussions on multiple uses of chemistry, chemical risk assessment, chemical waste management, chemical arms control, and disarmament, as well as recent developments in green and sustainable chemistry that contribute to the objectives of the Convention.
24th May 2023
Capacity Building Program for Fire Fighting Personnel in western province on Chemical Emergency Management Organized by the National Authority for the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), Ministry of Defence was successfully conducted from 24th to 26th May at Light House Galley. 65 fire fighters from the various fire brigades were participated for the program.
At the inauguration of the program, The Director of NACWC Rear Admiral Ravi Ranasinghe addressed the gathering and he emphasized the aim and the importance of chemical emergency management in Sri Lanka.
During the Program fire fighters were able to enhance their knowledge and share valuable information on the following topics by well experienced resource personnel in this subject and related fields.
Role of first responders - Mr. DAAK Amaradewa (Development Officer, NACWC)
Error and Error management - Ms. Radika Madupani (Development Officer, NACWC)
Chemical Hazard identification - Mr. DAAK Amaradewa (Development Officer, NACWC)
Dust, Liquid and Gas Explosions - Ms Induni Warnakulasooriya (Development Officer, NACWC)
Potential Hazmat Incidents at port premises - Mr. S. Nadarajah (Deputy CFO ,Colombo Port Fire Brigade)
Flame retardants - Mr. Udara Amarasinghe (Development Officer, NACWC)
Incident command system in Chemical Management - Wing Commander Nilendra Perera (CO CBRNE Wing, Sri Lanka Air Force)
Lessons learned from Industrial Chemical Accidents and prevention - Mr Nuwan Tharaka Weerasinghe (HSE Manager, Glochem Enterprise Colombo)
In order to Summarize the knowledge gathered during the first 2 days of the training, fire fighters got an opportunity to apply the knowledge in practical grounds during the Chemical Emergency Response Exercise conducted at premises of Colombo Harbour as the final session of the program on 26th May in collaboration with Colombo Port Fire Brigade and CBRN unit, SLNS Rangalla.
At the end of the program, certificate awarding ceremony was held with the participation of the Harbour Master Mr. Nirmal de Silva, Chief Fire Officer- Colombo Fire Brigade Mr. PDKA Wilson together with Director NACWC Rear Admiral Ravi Ranasinghe. Finally, a group photograph was taken in front of the light house with Director NACWC, guests and all the members of the program.
