Turn the volume down or face the music, says CMC

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Complaints against sound pollution within the Colombo city have gone up during this festive season. "We are receiving an increasing number of complaints regarding sound pollution during this festive season," Colombo Municipal Council's (CMC) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam told the Daily News yesterday.

He said the Municipal Council took prompt action to look into the complaints and remedial measures were taken accordingly.

However, Dr. Kariyawasam said most of the complaints were against one-off acts of sound pollution.

"We face difficulties in taking action against such complaints. Such complaints should be made to Police. But we can take action against continuous sound pollution."

However, Colombo Municipal health officials' battle against sound pollution within the City limits has achieved success with those responsible voluntarily agreeing to CMC conditions.

The majority of complaints were against religious places, restaurants, playgrounds, karaoke bars and hotels where kottu rotti is prepared.

The CMC has initially deployed 12 highly trained health inspectors to carry out day and night inspections to prevent sound pollution in the City and ensure better living condition for the citizens.'

Health officials say sound pollution creates major problems in major cities as it leads to severe health hazards such as high blood pressure, hearing loss, insomnia and depression. "The public could make complains to the Municipal Health Division at any time and once a complaint is received, health officials will inspect the scene and measure the sound output.

Steps are taken to take legal action against offenders under the Nuisance Ordinance." an official told the Daily News.