We read with delight Wijith de Chickera’s column on the “Choon Paan Man.” In Colombo we have enough noise pollution as it is, but add to this the Choon Paan Man and life becomes hell for everyone else.
The vulgarised version of For Elise that he plays incessantly annoys not only those who know the melody but also those who do not.
The Choon Paan Man drives his contraption down the Galle Road, disturbing schools, churches, hotels and residents. He disturbs the entire neighbourhood at six in the morning (weekends included), and again at three in the afternoon, just when the elderly and the very young are ready for a break from school and the heat.
At every stop, the tune goes on and on, ad nauseam. The police, who are expected to check noise polluters, simply stand by and do nothing.
I could be talking to friends and family on the telephone when who comes along, jarring through the line, but the Choon Paan Man and his unmusical interlude. He is everywhere these days.
I do hope people will make enough of a fuss to stop this man from disturbing the peace. By all means let him sell his wares, but not by jangling our nerves to the limit with his incessant noise-making.
Ms. Marla de Silva,
Colombo 3
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