The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court today (29) imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on a restaurant located in the food court of a shopping mall in Colombo 04 for selling drinking water bottles above the government‑regulated Maximum Retail Price (MRP).
The case followed a raid by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), where an officer posing as a customer purchased a 500ml water bottle.
According to the CAA, the restaurant charged Rs. 100 but returned only Rs. 20 in change, effectively overcharging Rs. 80 above the stipulated MRP.
Evidence, including the receipt, was produced in court, and the company pleaded guilty to the violation.
The CAA reminded consumers that businesses are not permitted to sell goods above the printed MRP, regardless of location, and urged the public to check prices carefully and report violations with receipts. (Newswire/ AI image)