Fr. Jebaratnam, Vicar General of the Diocese of Jaffna, has urged all parishes to strictly observe established guidelines on the use of loudspeakers during church services.
First adopted at the 2016 Pastoral Congress under the theme “Let Us Live Anew,” these regulations are intended to prevent disturbances to students, schools, patients, and the elderly living near church premises.
According to the norms, weekday and Sunday Masses are to be amplified only within church walls, while feast day celebrations may use loudspeakers restricted to the church compound.
The matter was reiterated at the Jaffna Diocesan Priests’ Council meeting on August 28, chaired by Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Gnanapragasam, Bishop of Jaffna.
The council also proclaimed 2026 as the “Year of Social Communication” in the diocese and passed resolutions on the responsible use of parish audio systems and the strategic installation of statues along public roads for both devotional and community purposes.
Rev. Fr. Jebaratnam emphasized the vital role of priests, religious, and lay faithful in ensuring compliance, highlighting these measures as a socially responsible initiative for the broader community.
