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Excerpts of the country statement of Environment and Natural Resources Minister Rukman Senanayake at the fourteenth meeting of parties to the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer and the sixth conference of parties to the Vienna convention on protection of the ozone layer held in Rome, Italy recently.

Sri Lanka's dedication and commitment to The Montreal Protocol was rewarded in October 2001 when we had the privilege of hosting the 13th meeting of parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the ozone layer. Nearly 350 delegates from 108 countries and other organisations participated despite problems on travel that were encountered during that period. However I am sure you will agree that we were able to achieve significant progress in our deliberations.

During the past three decades the global issue of protecting the ozone layer has been discussed intensively. The actions taken by the parties to Montreal Protocol have created a great impact in reducing the rate of ozone layer depletion, thus making the Montreal Protocol one of the most successful environmental treaties in the world. However, it is wise to be mindful that the awareness of the ozone layer depletion is an unknown to the public in general and to many legislators in particular as it does not fall within the visibility of their day to day experience. It is not visible to the naked eye, as are many other forms of environmental stress that we see, such as land degradation, air pollution, water pollution, global warming and climate change.

Nevertheless, Ozone layer depletion itself is one of the most dangerous phenomena that we encounter today, for if unchecked it will certainly lead to irreversible environmental impacts, threatening even life itself. Sri Lanka became a party to the Montreal Protocol in 1989 and has ratified the London, Copenhagen and the Montreal amendments. Further, our strong political commitment to contribute to the safeguard the global environment is proven further by our acceding the latest Beijing amendment.

The global environmental problems such as Ozone layer depletion have to be dealt with through the collective efforts of all nations. However, it is important to note that there is an inequitable distribution of impacts and benefits between the developed and developing nations. As such the impact on the economies of developing countries must be given due consideration when implementing international treaties. Sri Lanka is a nation that is fully aware of the risks involved in environmental manipulation. The use of ozone depleting substances, deforestation, poor sanitation and issues in relation to hazardous waste, will surely result in land degradation, air pollution, loss of bio diversity and shortages of water etc.

The international community has taken steps to neutralize these environmental disasters in the global context. As an environmentally responsible nation, Sri Lanka has contributed to these international commitments.

We have ratified most of the International Environmental treaties. UNCCD, UNFCCC, Ramsar Convention, CITES, Bonn Convention, Basel Convention, Convention on Biological Diversity and the Bio-Safety Protocol, to name a few.

We have planned to phase out CFCs in 2005, five years ahead of the Protocol target and are in the process of achieving this goal.

However, we have faced numerous constraints in phasing out the use of CTC (carbon tetrachloride) in Sri Lanka within this time frame. We are working hard with the activated carbon industry to change over to alternative substances. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my country's gratitude to the executive committee and multilateral fund for providing the funds necessary and to UNDP, UNEP and the others for providing the expertise in updating our Country Compliance Action Plan.

In conclusion I am proud to report to this gathering that we are ahead of the Montreal Protocol targets in phasing out Zone Depleting Substances. The need to protect, preserve and rebuild the Ozone layer to its fullest strength is recognised by Sri Lanka and I assure this august gathering that we will extend our fullest co-operation to the international community in their untiring efforts in implementing the Montreal Protocol, as well as the other international environmental treaties. Let us move forward together to build a better world a better future, for the next generation.

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