A Sri Lankan court has ordered the destruction of a stock of illegal float operated valves seized in Kadawatha after finding that the products were sold without mandatory labeling and certification, the Consumer Affairs Authority said.
The Mahara Magistrate’s Court ordered that the seized valves, valued at approximately Rs. 500,000, be destroyed after determining they violated labeling regulations under consumer protection laws.
The Consumer Affairs Authority had taken legal action against two business establishments in the Eldeniya area of Kadawatha for selling float operated valves without displaying the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLS) registration number, a requirement for such products.
In one case, a hardware store pleaded guilty to selling and displaying float valves without the required SLS registration number. The court imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000 for the offence.
In a separate case, a company was accused of misleading consumers by using the official logo of the Industrial Technology Institute without authorization. The court released the accused company on personal bail of Rs. 100,000 and fixed the case for further hearing.
As part of its ruling, the court ordered the destruction of the seized valve stock, citing violations of labelling regulations and consumer protection standards.
The Consumer Affairs Authority warned consumers to avoid purchasing plumbing fittings and other hardware items that do not carry proper labels or certification details, noting that substandard products can lead to water leaks, higher water bills and the wastage of treated drinking water.
Authorities said the wastage of purified water, which is produced at significant cost, poses a broader economic and environmental concern for the country.
The CAA said it will continue enforcement action against businesses that sell uncertified or misleading products and urged traders to comply with national standards and consumer protection laws. (Newswire)