Police to remove unauthorized posters, billboards

Sandasen MARASINGHE

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued notice on the Central Environment Authority returnable on May 07, in respect of a writ application filed against erection of illegal banners, hoardings and posters.

The Bench comprised Court of Appeal Justice Sathya Hettige (President) and Court of Appeal Justice Anil Gunaratne.

The Centre for Environmental Justice (Guarantee) Limited filing the writ application cited Central Environmental Authority, Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratne and the Attorney General as respondents.

Senior State Counsel Arjuna Obeysekara appearing for the Inspector General of Police submitted that the Police would take measures to remove all unauthorized billboards, posters and hoardings from the cities and the major towns. The Police has so far removed as much as illegal posters and billboards the Police could. The petitioner filing the application through Ravindranath Dabare submitted that unauthorized posters , banners, and hoardings with different sizes and colours have desecrated the cities and major towns with the announcement of the Provincial Council Elections. They have been erected in front of educational institutions, buildings of national importance, historical monuments and religious places.

The petitioner also submitted that these posters have affected the scenic beauty as well as road safety.

They have not been erected in line with the instructions of the National Environment Act and Provincial Council Elections Act.

The petitioner prayed before the Court to direct the respondents to require the Government authorities to comply with the provisions of the respective jurisdictions.

The Petitioner also prayed to direct the Central Environmental Authority to device a comprehensive National Policy for erection of banners, billboards, hoardings and posters.