Giant TV screens a hazard to motorists - CMC Commissioner

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has expressed concern over the installation of giant television screens in the city of Colombo and called upon those responsible to remove them forthwith, as they cause accidents. According to the CMC, there are two giant TV screens in the heart of Town Hall in Colombo and several drivers and environmentalists have made several complaints in this regard.

CMC, Commissioner, Bhadrani Jayawardhane told the Sunday Observer that people who installed these giant television screens had not sought permission either from the CMC, the police or the Central Environmental Authority to erect them.

“This is a ‘vision hazard’ and we vehemently condemn such vision pollution activities, done without the permission of the relevant authorities,” .

Although this kind of giant television screens could be seen even in foreign countries, such as in neighbouring India, Singapore and Malaysia, the people had installed them at suitable places in keeping with the guidelines of the local bodies, she said.

The Commissioner said a meeting to discuss this matter will be held at the CMC shortly with the police and other relevant authorities.