Ven. Dhammaloka Thera noticed to appear in court

Complaints on high noise levels of Temple

Colombo Additional Magistrate Dulani Amarasinghe yesterday delivering a conditional order directed Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera to restrain from amplifying high level noises using loudspeakers between 5 am to 6 am in the morning at Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple in Polhengoda.

The order was made considering a personal complaint (lawsuit) filed against Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera in Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court earlier by four complainants on the allegation of high noise levels sustained by the residents living around the Alan Mathiniyaramayatemple in Polhengoda due to the Loudspeakers operated by the temple.

The Magistrate also noticed the Thera to appear in court on December 16 over the matter.

The Complainants alleged that such high levels of noise amplifications had afflicted their physical and mental life in a disruptive manner

Complainants (residents) alleged that the exposure to such high level of noise constituted a health risk and there were sufficient scientific evidence to prove that danger and there by requested the Court to impose an appropriate order to prevent the Temple being continuously amplifying such high level of noises. The Complainants alleged that such high levels of noise amplifications had afflicted their physical and mental life in a disruptive manner.

In the Complaint, the residents said that they had on several times informed certain authorities and the chief incumbent of the temple, Dhammaloka Thera about the difficulty that they had to undergo, yet no actions were taken. Complainants, Gavinda Jayasinghe, Dr Kalinga Kaluperuma, Diren R. Halok, Milinda Moragoda and Kamalesh Johnpillei had filed the personal case citing Ven. Dhammaloka thera as the defendant, in line with the section 98(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code seeking a court order for removal of the nuisance.

This personal case was filed under section 136 of the Criminal Procedure Code where people are permitted to file complaints directly to a Magistrate without the prosecution.