Sri Lanka noise pollution laws will be enforced more strictly, with police setting permit limits and warning of equipment seizures for violations.
Sri Lanka noise pollution laws will face stricter enforcement as police move against the excessive use of loudspeakers, amplifiers and other sound equipment that disturbs the public.
The Sri Lanka Police said legal action will be taken against those who use sound amplification equipment in a manner that causes public nuisance.
Authorities said the decision considers the health and mental difficulties that excessive noise can cause to children, patients and elderly people.
According to the Police Media Division, creating excessive noise that causes a public nuisance is punishable under Supreme Court orders and Section 261 of the Penal Code.
Police will therefore strictly enforce existing time restrictions when issuing permits for sound amplification equipment.
From Monday to Thursday, permission will be granted only until 10:00 PM.
On Fridays and Saturdays, permitted use may continue until 1:00 AM the following day.
On Sundays, the permitted period extends until 12:30 AM.
However, police said permits are generally not issued between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM the following morning.
Special religious and cultural events may be considered separately, with legal permission granted where appropriate.
Even when organisers hold a valid permit, sound must not travel beyond the relevant premises in a way that disturbs neighbours or the wider public.
Police officers will monitor whether permit conditions are being followed.
If officers identify excessive noise, they will first warn those responsible.
If the warning is ignored, police may confiscate the sound amplification equipment and initiate legal proceedings.
The tightened enforcement of Sri Lanka noise pollution laws is therefore expected to place greater responsibility on event organisers and sound-system operators.
Police have also asked the public to report illegal or excessive noise through emergency numbers 118 or 119.
