Ozone layer above Sri Lanka, one of the best in the world - Dr. Kohona

by Nilma DOLE

The Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Dr. Palitha Kohona revealed recently that he was once offerred the Executive Director's position in the Ozone Secretariat during his tenure as the UN Treaty Chief but he wanted to serve his country.

"The Vienna Convention for the protection of the Ozone layer (1985) is one of the most successful treaties in the UN where developed and developing countries worked together to reach goals", he said. In fact, in the early 1990s after the convention was set up, enforcement was virtually nil.

"There was a hole in the Arctic and countries like Australia suffered with a skin cancer outbreak", said Dr. Kohona. Here, three components were enforced where developed countries would give aid to developing countries so that they can upgrade their technology to prevent toxic gases from destroying the Ozone layer, making it successful. "Sri Lanka is one of the countries that is Ozone-friendly", said Dr. Kohona.

The world has recognised Sri Lanka by electing Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka to the chair of the conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention.