New regulations to curb sound pollution

Chamikara Weerasinghe

The use of sound producing equipment in a manner that would carry such sounds into other neighbourhoods have been fully prohibited under the new environment regulations.

The Environment and Natural Resources Ministry Secretary, M.A.R.D. Jayatilleke said, the Supreme Courts has issued a set of directives regarding this with reference to the Fundamental Rights case 38/2005.

Jayatilleke said in a press statement that the situation is explained in the circular No. 2031\2007, issued by the Inspector General of Police.

The statement has been issued in answer to frequent complaints made by the public to the Environment Ministry regarding their existing noise pollution standards with inquiries regarding whether these standards have an adverse effect when it comes to holding religious festivals and national ceremonies.

“To use sound emitting equipment from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., one has to take a permit with applied conditions under Section 80 of the Police Ordinance,” he said. “The new regulations fully prohibit the use of sound producing equipment from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

However, the use may be allowed in the case of a special religious ceremonies or other special occasions.

Assistant Superintendents of Police have been empowered to issue permits in such cases,” he said.