Vehicle Noice pollution control measures (2 items)

Curbs on vehicle horn pollution

Disna MUDALIGE

New regulations proposed to the National Environment Act to control noise pollution caused by vehicle horns will be presented for Cabinet approval shortly, said Environment Minister Anura Priyadrashana Yapa. Addressing a press conference at the Ministry premises on Thursday he said that the new regulations will be implemented once the gazette notification is approved by Parliament.

According to the new regulations the maximum level permitted for a vehicle horn noise within a two metre open air space from the front of a vehicle will be 105 decibels while this will be 97 decibels within seven metres. The regulations apply when the vehicle is not moving and as when its engine is switched on.

Ambulances, trains, fire brigade vehicles, police vehicles, and vehicles used by the Armed Forces are exempted from the regulations.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/07/news13.asp


Noise makers beware laws on the way soon

By Ifham Nizam

Vehicles causing noise pollution would soon be prosecuted and in this regard the required new regulations would be presented to parliament shortly for approval, Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said.

He told a media briefing on Thursday, in Colombo, that motorists including three wheelers using loud horns beyond 105 decibels would be dealt with under the new legislation.

"Legislation to reduce sound pollution will be presented to parliament within the next few weeks," he added. He also said that owners of vehicles whose engines too that make noises similar to horns would be prosecuted.

Yapa said that the government has finalized new legislation that makes it a punishable offense to produce sounds above a certified level.

Sri Lanka is struggling to maintain a healthy environment due to the high concentration of vehicles that are flooding the streets, particularly in Colombo and Kandy.

Vehicle imports in 2010 grew by over 100 per cent after the government reduced taxes and even though the limits were raised subsequently there are still a large number of vehicles entering the country every month.

According to a recent market research done by, Nielsen, 50 per cent of Sri Lanka’s 20 million population has at least one vehicle and it is predicted that numbers would rise with income levels.

"Legislation to reduce sound pollution will be presented to parliament within the next few weeks," he added.

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