Srilanka, Nov. 23 -- The recent police decision to restrict loudspeakers at a political rally in Nugegoda has created the impression of selective enforcement rather than a scientifically grounded action. Although five major schools lie within 500 metres of the venue, an 80 dB loudspeaker would reduce to roughly 40 dB at that distance-below the legal 50 dB limit for silence zones.
In contrast, these same schools are located beside busy bus routes where horns frequently reach 90 dB at the school boundary, far exceeding allowable levels. Yet this daily disturbance rarely attracts similar regulatory interest.
If noise protection is the true concern, then enforcement should address all major sources of excessive noise including the use of loud...