Those found guilty of causing noise pollution and disturbing the community, will be subject to new laws, soon to be implemented.
Central Environmental Authority chairman Charitha Herath told the Sunday Times that regulations prohibiting noise and disturbances affecting the community will be introduced under the National Environment Act of 1980. The draft has been finalised.
“Religious groups and entertainment industry players are holding up the process, but once a final decision is made, we can go ahead and enforce the law,” Mr. Herath said.
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| The police will use the latest technology to monitor sound levels from vendors and vehicles. Pix by Nilan Maligaspe |
In February this year, a group of musicians and film directors representing the Outstanding Song Creators Association (OSCA) requested the Supreme Court to modify the hours covering the ban of the use of loudspeakers in public places.
They sought permission to conduct cultural activities, music shows and film advertising up to 1 am. “Under a December 2007 Supreme Court directive, the use of loudspeakers and sound amplification is prohibited for eight hours at night, between 10 pm and 6 am. In the case of special religious functions and special events, a police permit is required to use loudspeakers and amplifiers, but permits will be issued only after consultation with residents living in the vicinity.”
The new laws will extend to the use of megaphones, loudspeakers, gramophones and any instrument that automatically, mechanically, electrically or electronically produces, reproduces or amplifies sound.
Special technology will be used to measure sound levels. Noise levels exceeding 63 decibels (dB) will be prohibited by law.
Under National Environmental (Community Noise Control) regulations laws, loudspeakers and amplification may not be used between 10 pm and 6 am. The exceptions are announcements made in times of emergency or disaster, and in the case of special religious functions and special occasions. Those who contravene these regulations are liable to a fine of not less than Rs. 10,000. Dr. W. L. Sumathipala, senior technical advisor to the Ministry of Environment, told the Sunday Times that many countries have laws relating to noise pollution. In Sri Lanka, however, noise pollution is growing problem.
“Many countries encourage the use of sound-proofing devices to minimise noise,” he said. “For example, the authorities at London’s three main airports – Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted – have taken measures to introduce restrictions on night flying in order to reduce night noise. In many countries, the police are authorised to deal firmly with noisy neighbourhoods.”
Dr. Sumathipala, who is a senior lecturer in physics, said exposure to high levels of noise could affect behaviour in adults and young people. “If your sleep is disturbed by noise, you could suffer mental stress and turn aggressive. Loud noise indirectly cause stress. Children living in noisy neighbourhoods could develop hearing problems later in life,” he said.
Although schools, hospitals and courthouses have been declared “silent zones”, the public continues to cause disturbances in these zones, Dr. Sumathipala said. |
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