Order regarding preliminary objection fixed for June 1

Case against Dhammaloka thera:

Colombo Additional Magistrate Dulani Amarasinghe yesterday, set a date for order regarding the preliminary objection raised by Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera of Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple in Polhengoda, over a private plaint filed against him for allegedly using loudspeakers in a manner causing nuisance.

Accordingly, the private plaint filed against Dhammaloka Thera fixed for June 1 and the Additional Magistrate is to announce her order on that date.

On December 6, 2016, the Court had issued a conditional order preventing Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka from using loudspeakers in a manner causing nuisance at Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple in Polhengoda between 5.00 a.m. and 6.00 a.m. The Court had made this order taking into consideration a private plaint filed by six parties including former Minister Milinda Moragoda and Centre for Environmental Justice, alleging that loudspeakers used by Ven.Uduwe Dhammaloka at Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple in Polhengoda was causing an annoyance and disturbance to the residents. Through this private plaint, the six complainants sought the Court’s jurisdiction to avert noise pollution taking place in the area in terms of section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The six complainants Gavinda Jayasinghe, Dr.Kalinga Kaluperuma, Diren R. Halok, Milinda Moragoda, Kamalesh Johnpillai and Centre for Environmental Justice, informed Court that they were compelled against their will to listen to the amplified sounds which emanate from the loudspeakers at the Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple. They said the authorities have turned a blind eye to their complaints made on several occasions.

Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare with Counsel Sugath Athapattu appeared for the Centre for Environmental Justice.