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"CRACKDOWN ON BEAT BARRELS AND SOUND GADGETS"-Daily Mirror 06/01/2012 "Police will crack down on motorists using beat-barrels, extremely loud horns and sound-producing gadgets on their vehicles when the new regulations gazetted under the National Environment Act come into effect this week. Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the Act covered some four million motor vehicles ranging from three-wheelers to mega container carriers which had extraneous gadgets producing enhanced sound levels and thus leading to sound pollution. The new provisions spelt out the maximum sound at 105 decibels up to a distance of two meters from the vehicle in front and 93 decibels when the vehicle is in a stationary position.The minister said those who violate the new regulations enacted under the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980 and known as the National Environmental (Vehicle Horns Regulations) No. 1 of 2011 would face spot fines or prosecution if the offence was repeated. The restrictions will not apply to ambulances, trains, fire engines, police vehicles and vehicles used by the armed forces or when it is necessary to convey information to the people in an emergency. Central Environmental Authority Chairman Charitha Herath said noise levels shall be measured in terms of sound pressure levels either by the use of a sound level meter or any other measuring equipment recommended by the CEA from time to time. He said a sound level meter would be calibrated before and after each series of measurements, using a Class 1 acoustic calibrator. The meters will be supplied by the CEA to policemen and the exercise will be carried out in close cooperation with the Motor Traffic Department." MINIACE