by Norman Palihawadane and Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

The prices of flour-based short eats, including parata and egg roti, have been increased by Rs. 5, while the price of kottu roti has gone up by Rs. 25, All Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association President Harshana Rukshan told The Island yesterday (30).

He said the price increases had been effected following an increase in wheat flour prices by suppliers.

In addition, the price of a string hopper had been increased by Rs. 1 and a hopper by Rs. 2, he said.However, there had been no increase in the prices of fried rice, biryani, nasi goreng, rice packets or rice and curry, Rukshan said.

Meanwhile, he alleged that milk powder companies had increased prices discreetly and expressed strong dissatisfaction over the Consumer Affairs Authority’s failure to investigate the matter or take legal action against the companies.

He also criticised the milk powder companies for arbitrarily increasing prices, while noting that restaurant owners had not increased the price of tea.

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.