Message on noise pollution loud and clear

• Special permission will be required to use loudspeakers and amplifiers during the holiday season

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

Police permission will be required for the use of loudspeakers and amplifiers for public events and promotional activities during the National New-Year holiday season. On Friday, the Supreme Court directed the police to warn any persons found to be causing noise pollution and to seize any equipment being used to cause a disturbance during the festive season.

During the festive season a total day-and-night ban will be in force on the use of loudspeakers and amplifiers for street promotions, lottery selling, bicycle races, new year celebrations as well as in mobile sales vans and outside shops. Those applying for a permit to use loudspeakers and amplifiers would have to cite specific reasons, distances to be covered and levels of noise.

In a recent court application, the Environment Foundation Limited (EFL) stated that regulations relating to noise pollution could be violated during the festive season because of a perception among the general public that the law applied only to the night hours between 10pm to 6 a.m.

Uditha Egalahewa, counsel appearing for the EFL, said it was illegal to cause a disturbance in the daytime, adding that advertising campaigns and sales promotions were among the biggest offenders in this respect. “We have requested courts to direct the police and Ministry of Environment to create awareness on the guidelines on noise pollution,” he said.

“Permits obtained from police stations should be signed by the ASP,” Mr Egalahewa said. “If celebrations are held in large grounds and do not cause a disturbance to the neighbourhood, the police should have no objections to issuing permits.”

The Supreme Court recently granted bail of 100,000 rupees on two hoteliers in Bolgoda, Moratuwa who were found to have violated sound pollution regulations with loud music in their hotels during daytime hours. Residents in the area had complained about the disturbance.