Two hotel personnel fined for violating noise laws

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

COLOMBO: The Supreme Court yesterday imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 each on a hotelier and manager of a hotel for using loudspeakers in breach of the Supreme Court order with regard to noise pollution.

Two persons M. Mendis and C.S. Nonis, manager and proprietor of Hotel Randiya, Koralawella, Moratuwa who were enlarged on bail on the last hearing were fined Rs.50,000 each for using loudspeakers in their hotel in breach of the Supreme Court interim order on the noise pollution.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC and Justice Andrew Somawansa and Justice Jagath Balapatabendi.

The court made a direction to the Media Ministry to publish the court order with regard to noise pollution.

The court also directed the Police, the Lotteries Board and the Environment Foundation Limited (EFL), a Non-Government Organisation, to discuss the issue of noise pollution by the lottery sellers.

The EFL submitted a report in connection with noise pollution in Galle area. The report had found that temples and mosques were among the top noise polluters.

The rights application which was originally filed against the time limit imposed by the Weligama Police on the use of loudspeakers in calls for prayers triggered the formulation of the Community Noise Level Standard to determine the noise level limitations in public places and residential areas.

The Attorney General earlier submitted that the existing industrial noise levels could not be used in respect of community noise levels.

President's Counsel Ikram Mohamed appeared for the petitioners.

Deputy Solicitor General Ms. Bimba Thilakarathna appeared for the respondents.

Uditha Egalahewa appeared for the Environmental Foundation Limited.

President's Counsel Nihal Jayamanne appeared for the hotel manager and the proprietor.

The case will be mentioned on July 28.