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| Wednesday, 10 November 2004 |
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by Florence Wickramage Director National Ozone Unit (NOU) Dr. W.L.Sumathipala, of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry said that the use of CFC in the country which contributes to the depletion of the Ozone Layer will be completely phased out by the year 2010. Both public and private sector institutions in the island has been notified about the Ministry's decision. Dr. Sumathipala was speaking at a media briefing held in Colombo recently to introduce the newly established Environment Friendly Refrigeration Association of Sri Lanka (EFRASEL) under the auspices of the National Ozone Unit. Dr. Sumathipala added that a much felt void in the Environmental sphere in regard to the protection of the Ozone Layer has been fulfilled with the establishment of EFRASEL which will work in close cooperation with the National Ozone Unit which is the local and international focal point. He also said that the Refrigeration facility has been taken for granted and has become part of the life of the nation. At present 80% of the Refrigerators and Air Conditioners in use consist CFC. According to the work program of the NOU, the use of CFC would be completely phased out by the year 2010. Dr. Sumathipala said that 185 metric tons of CFC had been imported in the year 2002, 180 metric tons in 2003, and 155 metric tons in 2004. The Ministry hopes to further reduce CFC importation to 118 metric tons by 2005, 30 metric tons by 2007 and completely phase it out by 2010. Outlining the objectives of the EFRASEL, the Association's President Kapila Rodrigo said that primarily it would strive to maintain the highest standards in service to be beneficial to users. He added that there were plenty of vacancies in this sector which the EFRASEL would to able to fill through its many programmes and services. EFRASEL will be the umbrella organization which would accommodate industrialists, professionals, traders, technicians, training and vocational institutions, schoolchildren, end users and all enthusiasts. Rodrigo said for better service and easy access to the general public EFRASEL would be decentralised with its branches spread out in all the nine provinces in the island. The official inauguration of the EFRASEL will take place at the BMICH on November 12 where Environment and Natural Resources Minister A.H.M.Fowzie would be the Chief Guest. EFRASEL Secretary Wimala Gunaratne, Organizing Committee President S.Yogendranathan, Treasurer A.C.Jayawardena and Media Organiser Mahendra Seneviratne also addressed the media briefing. |
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