A clarification regarding the times when loudspeakers are prohibited at night.

The Sri Lanka Police makes a special request to the public to use loudspeakers and amplifiers in accordance with legal conditions, in a manner that does not cause nuisance to surrounding residents.

The police point out that noise pollution caused by excessive noise severely affects the physical and mental health of infants, schoolchildren, adults, and patients. They state that operating sound equipment in a way that causes inconvenience to others is considered a 'public nuisance' according to Supreme Court orders and Section 261 of the Penal Code. Accordingly, police officers have the power to strictly enforce the law against individuals who behave illegally in this manner.

As a general rule, the use of loudspeakers is completely prohibited during the period from 10:00 PM to 06:00 AM the following day. Prior legal permission can only be obtained for religious or special festivals. Even with such a special police permit, the use of loudspeakers is permitted only until 10:00 PM on weekdays (Monday to Thursday), until 01:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 12:30 AM on Sundays.

However, the police emphasize that even if a permit has been issued, the emitted sound must be limited only to the boundaries of the relevant premises and should not cause any disturbance to surrounding residents. If loudspeakers are operated at excessive volume, violating the relevant conditions or causing annoyance to the public, those devices will be taken into police custody and legal action will be taken against the individuals concerned.

The Sri Lanka Police further requests the public to immediately provide information regarding illegal loudspeaker usage that causes public nuisance in this manner to the nearest police station or via emergency hotline numbers 118 and 119.