The Sub Regional Workshop on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Phase Out in Military Applications would be a stepping stone for a wider environment military network in Sri Lanka, said former Executive Secretary National Protocol Secretariat, UNEP K. Madhava Sharma.

Sharma who is also the Member of Technology and Economic Assessment Panel of the Protocol, speaking at the inaugural session of the ODS in Colombo yesterday, said even though some countries are not friendly to each other, they had realized the importance of talking to each other, for advantages of both sides.

Citing examples, he said one time unfriendly relationships between United States and China, lessened after implementing Montreal protocol and thus they shared each others information.

He said that at this meeting they were hoping not only to address the reduction of the affect of ODS, but to take up issues like climate change and hazardous chemicals to the environment.

Chief of Staff Major General G.A. Chandrasiri said UNEP was instrumental in promoting regional co-operation and environmental related issues and to reduce environmental degradation.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said ozone represent a very small percentage of the atmosphere, but it should be noted that its presence is vital for human, animal and entire ecological systems as it provides a protective shield that absorbs some of the potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

Thanking the Montreal Protocol for decisions taken regarding substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, he said "We already have encouraging examples showing how global solutions can be found when all countries make determined efforts to implement internationally agreed protocols on global environmental problems."

He said it is a clear demonstration of how the world community contributes immensely and wholeheartedly to protect the Ozone layer in a responsible manner for the protection of the global environment and life on planet earth.

"We strongly advocate similar solution for the other global environment problems which lead to global warming and climate change as well since most of you are working in the defence sector and should be thinking of your task ahead. Defence forces are needed to prevent social unrest and to keep the law and order in place either in local or international scene," he added.

Ranawaka said climate change will create a situation when large scale migration will take place within the country as well as internationally. These climate refugees will create a huge social unrest. This will lead to dispute on cultivable and livable land. Water will be a scares substance for many. This will lead to national and international terrorism.

He said: "This event is remarkable and important for us at this junction as we have to strengthen and support our defence forces while protecting the environment. I came to know that this is the first time that we are hosting a programme of this nature in Sri Lanka."