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by Tharika Goonathilake

A Relief Assistance Fund worth US$ 200,000 (Rs 18.75 million), is now available to Sri Lankan industries to convert their ozone depleting Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs) dependent refrigeration plants to ozone friendly conversions.

Hotels, restaurants, ice plants, beverage companies currently using CFC containing refrigerants such as R-12 and R-502 can now avail themselves of this facility.

"Industries and companies can draw up to a maximum of US$ 10,000 (Rs 930,000) or 50 percent of the total cost they will have to bear for converting their refrigeration plants," Ministry of Environment, Montreal Protocol Unit's Head Dr. W.L Sumathipla told the `Daily News' yesterday.

The funds are disbursed to the Environment Ministry through the United Nations Development Program and the Ozone Secretariat, which help developing countries meet the phase out targets of ozone depleting substances as stipulated in the Montreal Protocol, he said.

The Montreal Protocol, requires its signatory states to comply with the phase out of over 90 chemicals that destroy the ozone layer, which shield the Earth from ultra violet radiation, a cause of skin cancers, reduced plant yield. Ocean ecosystems are also under threat.

Applications for funding can be obtained at the Ministry of Environment, Montreal Protocol Unit, Sampathpaya, Batteramulla or through email unmpu@sri.lanka.net.

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