By Chaminda Silva

Police yesterday warned that loudspeakers, amplifiers and other sound equipment used in a manner that causes public disturbance could be taken into police custody if users disregard Supreme Court directives and police instructions.

In a special notice, police have said legal action could also be taken against those responsible under Section 261 of the Penal Code for causing a public nuisance.

Police said excessive noise had increasingly become a health and psychological concern, particularly for infants, schoolchildren, elderly people and patients.

The notice referred to Supreme Court Order No. 38/2005, under which police have the authority to take action when the use of sound equipment causes inconvenience or disturbance to the public or nearby residents.

Police said permission should generally not be granted for the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am, although exceptions may be made for religious activities and special occasions, subject to legal requirements.

Where permits are issued, users must strictly adhere to the dates, times and other conditions specified.

Depending on the conditions of the permit, loudspeakers may be allowed until 10 pm from Monday to Thursday, until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 12.30 am on Sundays.

Police stressed that these hours do not constitute an automatic entitlement and that loudspeakers must not be used in a manner that causes disturbance outside the premises, even when permission has been granted.

Police said officers would monitor permitted events to ensure compliance with permit conditions.

Where a complaint is received, police will inspect the location and, if the noise is found to constitute a public nuisance, instruct those responsible to stop the activity.

Failure to comply could result in legal action, including the seizure of the sound equipment, police warned.

Members of the public affected by excessive or unlawful noise have been asked to contact the nearest police station or call the emergency hotlines 118 or 119.

Sri Lanka was set to deploy disaster relief teams to flood-hit Nepal in the coming days, Deputy Minister of Defence, retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara, said.

He said the government had decided to send teams, comprising members of the Sri Lankan security forces, to assist relief operations in areas affected by the floods.

Speaking to the media in Anuradhapura, Jayasekara said arrangements were also underway to provide US$1 million in financial assistance to Nepal, on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government.

The Defence Ministry, in coordination with the National Disaster Management Relief Centre, is currently assessing Nepal’s requirements and determining the composition and deployment of the relief teams, he said.

By Hemantha Randunu

Nine Sri Lankan underworld figures, including notorious drug trafficker Gamange Saranga Pradeep alias Welle Saranga, who were arrested in Dubai during a joint operation involving Dubai Police and Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities, are expected to be brought back to Sri Lanka within the next few weeks, a senior police officer said.

The arrests were made after officers of the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau and the CID provided Dubai Police with information on the suspects and their alleged criminal activities.

Welle Saranga is wanted in Sri Lanka in connection with several serious offences, including alleged murders, large-scale drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and extortion, police said.

A team, headed by Central Criminal Investigation Bureau Director SSP Kamal Ariyawansa, had travelled to Dubai to assist local authorities in an operation targeting underworld figure Lalith Kannangara. During the operation, Sri Lankan officers also shared information on Welle Saranga with Dubai Police.

Following several weeks of investigations, Dubai Police arrested Welle Saranga and eight other Sri Lankan suspects who were staying at a luxury hotel in Dubai.

Police said cocaine, heroin and other narcotics were found in the suspects’ possession at the time of their arrest.

According to police, Welle Saranga had been operating large-scale drug trafficking networks, while residing in luxury hotels in Dubai. He is also alleged to have worked with drug traffickers in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to arrange the shipment of narcotics to Sri Lanka aboard fishing trawlers.

Police further allege that he had arranged for a boat carrying narcotics and a consignment of modern firearms, including Mini Uzi-type weapons, to be sent to Sri Lanka. The vessel was later intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Welle Saranga is also wanted over the alleged shooting to death Ivoni Sudharshani Fernando in Modara, reportedly arising from a drug-related dispute. He has also been accused of directing several other killings in Modara, Mattakkuliya, Kotahena and surrounding areas, police said.

In 2022, he was arrested by Sri Lankan police while allegedly in possession of a Russian-made automatic firearm and live ammunition.

Police have also accused him of being involved in an attack in Mattakkuliya following a drug-related dispute, during which six houses and six three-wheelers were allegedly damaged and several people seriously injured.

Meanwhile, discussions have begun between Sri Lankan authorities and Dubai Police to expedite the repatriation of Welle Saranga and the other eight suspects, the senior police officer said.