Sri Lanka achieved milestones in protecting ozone layer

International Ozone Day:

In an exclusive interview with Sunday Observer, Dr. W. L. Sumathipala, Director National Ozone Unit explains many milestones that Sri Lanka achieved in executing the Montreal Protocol and significance public awareness in protecting ozone layer.

Interviewed by Indeewara THILAKARATHNE

Q: What is the significance of World Ozone Day?

A: In 1987 protocol now known as Montreal Protocol was signed and the objectives of protocol is to eliminate use, production or trade of ozone depleting substances. As the Montreal Protocol was signed on September 16, 1987, September 16 is declared as International Ozone Day. At present 193 countries have become parties to the protocol. These countries celebrate International Ozone Day and it is also celebrated at national level.

Sri Lanka became a signatory to the Montreal Protocol in 1989 and the National Ozone Unit to carry out the mandate given by the Montreal Protocol was set up in 1994. From that day onward, Sri Lanka also joined in celebrating International Ozone Day.

The recovery of the hole in the ozone layer is a long term process. Once the ozone depleting substances released into the atmosphere, they will active for hundred years or more than that. These substances keep on destroying the ozone layer. Protocol came into effect in 1987 and the substances released before are still in the atmosphere. The use, production and trade of ozone depleting substances were reduced on time targets set up by the Protocol. To a certain extent, some of the substances are still being released into the atmosphere.

Q: what is the current position with regard to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol?

A: By the 2001, the depletion of ozone layer peaked and there is trend of recovery of ozone layer. However, it will not happen immediately. It has been forecast that complete recovery will occur in sixty years' time. By curbing the emission of ozone depleting substances into the atmosphere, depletion of ozone layer can be slowed down. But production of ozone is a natural process. Ninety five percent of release of ozone depleting substances has been completely phased out and by 2010 use of CFC is to completely phase out. Sri Lankan's consumption of CFC, at present, is zero, although there are old stocks of CFC in the country. Some of the developing countries are to eliminate CFC.

There are 96 chemicals such as ODS, Halons have been identified and to be phased out. Phasing out of these chemicals commence in developing countries in 2015. However, HCFC is not that powerful as compared to CFC. It has little ozone depleting potential.

Q: What are the activities the National Ozone Unit has undertaken in carrying out Montreal Protocol?

A: After signing the Protocol in 1989, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) commenced its work. A survey was carried out and identified areas where ozone depleting substances are sued. So we brought in projects to convert these industries into ozone friendly industries. NOU has provided refrigeration industry with financial, technical assistance and converted them into ozone friendly industry.

There were companies which produced perfume and used CFC. In 2002, we were able to convert it into an ozone friendly industry providing them with technical assistance. So in this country there are no industries using CFC today. Under the time target set by the Montreal Protocol, we have taken steps to eliminate 6 other chemicals. So we are successful in eliminating all of these substances.

In 20th year celebrations of the Montreal Protocol which was held last year, NOU received Implementers Award of Montreal Protocol. This year's celebrations were held at National Youth Centre in Maharagama with Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka as the chief guest.

Throughout the years, NOU has been conducting training programmes including those conducted for custom officers to detect ozone depleting substances and prevent them from entering the country. NOU also provided custom officers with equipment and technical assistant for the detection of such material.

Competitions among children, poster campaign, drama competitions, and essay competitions have been conducted as a part of the awareness campaign launched by NOU. Competition for media has also held and certificates among the winner in diverse categories were distributed at the function.

One of the important items of the International Ozone Day was the drama competition and Viridu (ballad) competition. In addition television programme was also produced. I was featured in the "Subahrati" on SLBC and "Hatveni peya" on ITN.

New array of projects have been designed to curb HCFC in Sri Lanka and recovery and re-cycling of chemicals which are used in refrigeration, has also been done through on-going projects. Recovery of gases in the old equipments will save environment from being polluted and would be more economical than replacing the old refrigerating equipments with new ones.

Halon Management Bank, which is to collect halon used for fire fighting equipments and re-use them in appropriately way.

I put more emphasis on awareness than implementation rules and regulations because if the people are aware of the dangers, they will comply with the regulations. Now at school level, under Environment Science, Ozone layer depletion and Climate change have been introduced. This year I received USEPA Award (United States Environment Protection Agency Award) for the outstanding contribution for the protection of ozone layer at global level and the global environment.