Police Warn Against Excessive Loudspeaker Use

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police have urged the public to use loudspeakers, amplifiers and other sound equipment responsibly and in accordance with the law, without causing inconvenience to others.

Police said excessive noise can have serious health and psychological effects, particularly on infants, schoolchildren, the elderly and patients.

Under Section 261 of the Penal Code, the use of sound equipment in a manner that causes public inconvenience may be considered a public nuisance, and legal action can be taken.

Police said loudspeakers are generally prohibited between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

However, permission may be granted for religious and other special events, depending on the circumstances.

Where permission has been granted, loudspeakers may generally be used until 10 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 12.30 a.m. on Sundays.

Police stressed that these permitted hours do not give organisers the right to create excessive noise.

Even when permission has been granted, sound must be kept within the premises and must not cause a nuisance or inconvenience to the public.

Police officers will monitor events to ensure these conditions are followed.

If a complaint is received and the noise is found to be causing a public nuisance, organisers will be instructed to stop the activity immediately.

Police warned that if excessive noise continues despite such instructions, legal action will be taken, including the possible seizure of the sound equipment.

The public can report illegal or excessive noise to the nearest police station or via the emergency hotlines 118 or 119.