April 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has stepped up enforcement efforts against retailers accused of overcharging, launching a series of surprise inspections that have led to multiple prosecutions.
The raids, carried out on April 24, targeted shops in several areas including Kandy, Trincomalee, Galle, Tangalle, Girandurukotte and Haputale. Officials discovered that staple items, particularly Keeri Samba and other types of rice, were being sold above regulated price ceilings, prompting swift legal action.
Court rulings that followed resulted in fines of Rs. 100,000 being issued to traders in Trincomalee, Galle, Tangalle and Girandurukotte, while a retailer in Haputale received a significantly higher penalty of Rs. 500,000.
Authorities indicated that repeat offenders and those found exploiting supply shortages could face even stricter consequences in future operations.
In a parallel investigation, inspectors turned their attention to the sale of bottled drinking water. Two businesses were found to be exceeding the maximum retail price, leading to further legal proceedings. One trader in Haputale was ordered to pay a hefty Rs. 1,000,000 fine, while another in Anuradhapura was penalised Rs. 100,000.