Large-scale plans to make Lanka CFC free by 2008

Vindhya Hewavitharana

COLOMBO: Consulting Director National Ozone Unit, Sri Lanka, Dr. W.L. Sumathipala hopes Sri Lanka would be a CFC free (Chlorofluoro carbon) by 2008.

Speaking at a CFC awareness workshop at the SLAAS Auditorium on Tuesday, Dr. Sumathipala said, all arrangements have been made to reduce CFC utilising equipment.

"CFC is the main threat to the ozone layer. The Government has allocated a large sum to conduct recovery and recycling programmes, establish recovery and recycling centres and conduct islandwide quiz competitions to make the public aware of this matter," Dr. Sumathipala said.

The Government in accordance with the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol have created new regulations to prohibit the import of CFC utilising equipment. Customer entry points have also been established in Sri Lanka. Alternative arrangements are being introduced, he said.

Global warming, climatic changes, changes in the orbit, rise in the sea level, dust storms and forest fires are some causes of ozone layer depletion. Every country has to support the protection of the Ozone layer, he said.

The inaugural meeting to make the public aware of Ozone depletion will be held today at Royal College.

Environmental Minister Maithripala Sirisena will be the chief guest.