Top officials representing Defence departments and military organizations in several countries will meet in Sri Lanka this week to discuss and recognize the importance of undertaking initiatives on environment-friendly operations.

The institutions associated with such activities can be gainfully utilized to address issues relating to the arrest of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) faced by countries in the current context, Environment and Natural Resources Ministry sources said.

ODSs continue to be needed by the military to support `mission critical’ uses.

Environment and Natural Resources are the focal point for implementing the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by passing out consumption and production of a number of substances responsible for ozone depletion.

The treaty was opened for signature on September 16, 1987 and came into force on January 1, 1989. Sri Lanka ratified both the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol in 1989.

"Due to its widespread adaptation and implementation, nearly 90 per cent of the production and consumption of the ODSs, namely CFCs and halons, have been phased out as of today", the sources said.

"Even with this achievement, ODSs continue to be needed by the military to support `mission critical’ uses".

While virtually no halons or CFCs are needed for new military applications, they are required to support existing systems that were previously designed to use these materials, the sources said.