Global Ozone Day commemorated

Chamikara Weerasinghe

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Development commemorated the International Ozone Day 2008 (September 16) yesterday at the National Youth Services Council, Maharagama.

The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Champika Ranawaka launched a logo of Ozone friendly tea to mark the World Ozone Day that coincided with the 21st anniversary of the Montreal Protocol.

The protocol is designed to protect the ozone layer by setting timetables for phasing out the production and consumption of nearly 100 substances that have ozone depleting properties.

The Director of the Environment Ministry's Ozone Unit Dr. W.L. Sumathipala handed over three publications on Ozone, printed in English, Sinhala and Tamil languages and a compact disc containing educational material on Ozone to Minister Ranawaka on this occasion.

Dr. Sumathipala handed over several training equipment worth of Rs. two million to the principal of the Orugodawatta Technical College, R.A. Galappatti. Several analytical instruments for identifying refrigerants were given to the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs Department Sarath Jayathilleke.

Minister Ranawaka gave away awards and certificates to the children of Ozone friendly Thummodara Illukkumbura Primary school. He also awarded children of Gampaha Thaksala College who have won the Ozone Friendly Virudu singing competition, which was held to mark the Ozone Day.

Manjula Dissanayake of Mihira (ANCL publication) received an award and a certificate for his Ozone friendly contributions through Mihira. Priyanka Thushari Welegedera of SLBC received an award for her contributions in apprising the public of the importance of protecting the Ozone layer.

Mahinda Algama of SLBC received the Best Ozone Journalist of the Year award from Minister Ranawaka.

Speaking at the Ozone Day Celebrations, Minister Ranawaka said, the Government is planning to develop the country's agriculture sector by promoting the use of organic fertiliser as against the chemical fertiliser. This is in keeping with a decision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said.

A green revolution was attempted in the 60s utilising chemical fertilizer to increase agricultural harvest but this proved unsuccessful. This was based on the concept that we could end hunger with such a campaign.