Ozone Layer will be restored by 2050, if Montreal Protocol implemented - Fowzie

by Florence Wickramage

According to recent scientific estimates, if all parties fully implement the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, the restoration of the Ozone Layer back to its normal strength can be expected by 2050.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister A.H.M.Fowzie made this observation at the award ceremony held in Colombo recently to students and schools which took part in the Ozone Art and Drama competitions organized islandwide by the Montreal Protocol and National Ozone Unit of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry.

Sri Lanka as a party to the Montreal Protocol, has initiated activities related to this protocol in 1993. The Ministry of Environment act as the focal point for the " Montreal Protocol" and the National Ozone Unit was established in the Ministry in 1994 to handle all activities related to the protocol.

Minister Fowzie said that up to now several projects such as conversion of three refrigerator manufacturing factories into CFC free technology, converting a cosmetics manufacturing factory into Ozone friendly technology, Recovery and recycling of CFCs and phasing out Methyl Bromide from the tea sector have been already completed by this Unit.

Technicians training in good practices in refrigeration and Customs officers training on prevention of illegal trade of Ozone Depleting Substances are ongoing. There is another project being implemented in order to find alternatives for Methyl Bromide uses in agricultural and export sectors. There are also several new projects to facilitate the accelerated phase out of CFC by the year 2008 have been launched, Minister Fowzie said.

Minister Fowzie added that phasing out of man-made Ozone Depleting Chemicals is the most effective method which is promoted under the Montreal Protocol and that through proper awareness creation, this message will reach each and every person of the country.

Dr. W.L. Sumathipala, Director of the National Ozone Unit, W.P.H. Gunawardene and Chandana Dalugama also spoke.