Accelerate laws ahead of elections: CEJ

The government should accelerate the laws which regulate displaying posters sand banners at unusual places causing visual pollution ahead of elections, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) said.

CEJ Executive Director Hemantha Withanage said among adverse impacts of displaying posters and banners at unusual places was visual pollution obscuring scenic views and a fall in the prestige of the area with their bright colours.

“The CEJ moved Court of Appeal in 2009, filing the case bearing the application No. C. A. 135/2009 seeking an order in nature of a writ of mandamus against the police and the Central Environmental Authority compelling to formulate regulation on displaying banners, posters, and hoardings,” Withanage said.

“However, no worthwhile decision has yet been taken to formulate displaying banners and posters,” he added.

He said unauthorised posters, banners and other erections had desecrated the cities and major towns without taking any notice of the educational institutions, religious places of worship, buildings of national importance, historical monuments and places of scenic beauty.

“They even occupy pavements causing obstruction to pedestrian movements,” Withanage said. (Sheain Fernandopulle)