The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a clarification regarding an advertisement circulating on social media that lists prices for a wide range of medical tests. 

The Authority stressed that the notice is not an official publication and warned the public against assuming that all prices shown are maximum charges fixed by Gazette Orders.

According to the CAA, only the following maximum charges have been officially prescribed:

• Full Blood Count (FBC) — Rs. 400 per test and report (Order No. 67, Gazette Extraordinary No. 2186/17, July 29, 2020)
• Dengue NS1 Antigen Test — Rs. 1,200 per test and report (same Gazette Order)
• COVID‑19 PCR Test — Rs. 6,500 per test and report (Order No. 75, Gazette Extraordinary No. 2240/30, Aug. 12, 2021)
• COVID‑19 Rapid Antigen Test — Rs. 2,000 per test and report (same Gazette Order)

The Authority emphasized that prices listed in the circulating notice for other tests, including FBS, RBS, HbA1C, Lipid Profile, LFT, RFT, UFR, CRP, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Mammogram and DEXA, are not maximum charges prescribed under its orders.

The public has been urged to rely only on official sources and to exercise caution when interpreting information shared on social media. For further clarification, consumers may contact the CAA via the 1977 hotline. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has taken legal action against a company in Seethawaka, Avissawella, and its Director, for producing and distributing bottled drinking water using a fake Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) mark and a false brand name.

The case was heard before the Avissawella Magistrate’s Court after CAA officers raided the company on August 21, 2026, seizing more than 8,500 bottles of water labelled “Aquachill” instead of the Ministry of Health‑approved name “Lanka Premium.” 

The seized stock included bottles in 19‑litre, 5‑litre, 1500 ml, 1000 ml, and 500 ml sizes.

When the case was called on September 04, the defendants pleaded guilty. The Court imposed a fine of Rs. 40,000 on the company and its Director, and ordered the destruction of the entire stock produced before Court as case productions. The bottles were subsequently destroyed within the Court premises.

The CAA has urged consumers to carefully check the correct brand name, date of manufacture, expiry date, and official SLS certification mark when purchasing bottled drinking water. 

Consumers with information on fraudulent or unlawful trading practices are advised to report them to the CAA via the hotline 1977. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says its active intervention has reduced nationwide polythene consumption from 26 million units to 16 million.

CAA officials noted that the program will continue with the introduction of alternatives to polythene, aimed at further minimizing environmental impact.

They stressed the importance of remaining vigilant in responding to public demands for stricter regulation of food and beverage standards and price control.

The remarks were made during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (14), held to review progress of projects under the 2026 budget allocations for the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, and to discuss the 2027 pre‑budget. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has launched a sweeping island‑wide crackdown on irregularities in the sale of Atapirikara and Pirikara items, conducting a total of 127 raids in 2026, including 92 successful raids during a special operation on August 10.

According to the CAA, the raids targeted establishments engaged in the sale of Atapirikara and related Pirikara items, with the objective of protecting consumer rights and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. From January to July, 35 raids had already been carried out, bringing the cumulative total to 127 by August.

During the August 10 operation, inspections were conducted under Direction No. 55 of Gazette Extraordinary No. 1918/20 (11.06.2015) to verify whether traders had properly indicated required information on goods and packaging, and whether bills, invoices, and other documents were maintained. 

The majority of violations detected were linked to this directive, with traders failing to provide mandatory information on Atapirikara, single‑layer robes, Adanakada, belts, bowls, and other Pirikara items.

In total, 436 units of Atapirikara and Pirikara items associated with legal violations were seized by CAA officers. Significantly, inspections went beyond external packaging, with randomly selected Atapirikara packages opened for physical checks.

These revealed serious irregularities, including single‑layer robes substituted for double‑layer robes, incomplete sets missing required components, variations in contents based on price, aluminium bowls, dented bowls, and rusted razors.

The CAA stressed that such irregularities cannot easily be identified by consumers through packaging alone. It advised buyers, particularly those purchasing complete Atapirikara sets for religious purposes, to carefully examine the items inside.

Legal proceedings are being initiated in relevant Magistrate’s Courts against establishments found in violation.

The CAA emphasized that traders are responsible for ensuring proper labeling, maintaining the condition of goods, and complying with all applicable legal requirements. Random inspections and special raids will continue across the island.

Consumers with information on violations are urged to contact the CAA consumer hotline 1977. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has taken legal action against a shop in Weliweriya and a distributor in Makola for selling and distributing protective helmets without the mandatory SLS 517 certification mark.

According to the CAA, investigative officers from the Gampaha District seized 42 non‑compliant helmets during a raid on July 28, 2026. 

The case was subsequently heard before the Mahara Magistrate’s Court, where both defendants pleaded guilty to violating regulations under Directive No. 59 of the CAA Act.

The court imposed fines of Rs. 5,000 each, totalling Rs. 10,000, and ordered the immediate destruction of all seized helmets.

The CAA has urged the public to remain vigilant and report traders selling or distributing helmets without SLS certification via the hotline 1977. (Newswire/ AI Image)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has launched strict islandwide enforcement against the manufacture and sale of motorcycle helmets without the mandatory Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) certification mark.

Under Direction No. 59 published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1923/65 dated July 16, 2015, all helmets manufactured in or imported into Sri Lanka must carry the SLS 517 Product Certification Mark. Manufacture, importation, distribution, storage, display, or sale of helmets without this mark is illegal.

A special enforcement programme conducted on Monday (27) resulted in 98 raids carried out successfully, 431 helmets without the SLS mark seized, and 3,520 helmets manufactured during periods without valid SLS licences prohibited from sale at two factories.

From January to June 2026, authorities filed 53 cases, seized 87 helmets, and concluded 39 cases, with 14 cases still before courts. In total, 151 raids and legal actions have been carried out this year, covering more than 4,038 helmets.

The CAA warned manufacturers and traders to refrain from manufacturing helmets without a valid SLS licence, and for importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, mobile traders, and online sellers to refrain from displaying, or selling helmets lacking the SLS mark.

Consumers have been advised not to purchase low‑quality helmets without the SLS mark simply because they are cheaper, that substandard helmets may fail to protect lives in accidents, endangering both riders and their families, and to always check for the SLS mark and obtain a proper receipt when buying a helmet.

The CAA added that information on illegal helmet sales can be reported to the Authority via the hotline 1977. (Newswire)

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The Galle Magistrate’s Court has imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on a welfare shop in Akmeemana after it was found guilty of selling imported Keeri Ponni rice above the government‑stipulated Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), district investigation officers raided the establishment on July 17, uncovering that rice was being sold at Rs. 270 per kilogram, exceeding the gazetted MRP of Rs. 255 per kilogram.

Legal action was instituted under the provisions of the CAA Act, and when the case was taken up, the defendant pleaded guilty. The court subsequently imposed the fine on July 23.

The CAA has urged consumers to remain vigilant and report traders selling rice above the prescribed MRP. Complaints can be lodged via the hotline 1977. (Newswire/ AI image)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a special gazette notification introducing mandatory labeling requirements for a wide range of soap products sold in Sri Lanka.

The order, enacted under Section 10(1)(a) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003, applies to manufacturers, importers, distributors, warehouse keepers, and traders.

Under the new rules, product names must be printed in bold letters in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, or at least two of these languages on the main panel, with the third language on any other panel.

In addition, the total fat content must be clearly displayed as a percentage, using bold letters not less than 2 millimeters in size.

The regulation covers multiple categories, including baby soap, toilet soap, shaving soap, carbolic soap, laundry soap, bathing bars, and soft soap.

The gazette will come into force on July 9, 2027. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority has issued a revised gazette notification increasing the maximum retail prices of locally packaged and bottled drinking water, effective from today (10).

Under the new prices, 500ml to 999ml bottles can be sold at a maximum of Rs. 80, up from Rs. 70.

The price of 1L to 1.49L bottles has been increased from Rs. 100 to Rs. 120, while 1.5L to 1.99L bottles have increased from Rs. 130 to Rs. 150.

The maximum price of 2L to 2.49L bottles has been raised from Rs. 160 to Rs. 180, while 5L to 6.99L bottles have increased from Rs. 350 to Rs. 400. (Newswire)

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Four warehouses belonging to a leading food importer in Nugegoda were sealed by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on Wednesday (03), following a sudden raid that uncovered serious violations of consumer protection laws. 

According to the CAA, the warehouses, located on Pagoda Road, were supplying bulk food products to hotels and markets across the island.

Investigations revealed that the stock included dairy items such as cheese and butter, chocolate and cocoa powder, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, meat products, and raw materials used in bakery production. 

Officials found that many of these products carried no importer information, while others had been repackaged into different containers without retaining crucial details such as manufacturing and expiry dates. A stock of expired goods prepared for distribution was also discovered.

The CAA warned that these illegal practices posed a grave risk to public health and consumer safety. Comprehensive investigations have already commenced, and strict legal action is expected against the business establishment and suspects under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act.

They urged consumers, food manufacturers, and hotel owners to pay close attention to product labels, manufacturing dates, expiry dates, and importer details when purchasing food items. (Newswire)

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The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court today (05) imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on a supermarket in Wellawatte for selling rice above the government‑stipulated Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), the stipulated MRP for one kilogram of local Nadu rice is Rs. 230. 

However, the supermarket was found to be selling it at Rs. 320 per kilo, overcharging consumers by Rs. 90.

The CAA said the detection was made during its continuous island‑wide enforcement operations conducted to curb traders who exploit consumers by inflating rice prices.

Urging consumers to always check the printed MRP when purchasing essential goods, the CAA reminded the public never to pay more than the stipulated price.

The public is requested to report violations immediately with proof, while complaints can be lodged via the CAA hotline 1977. (Newswire/ AI image)

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The Galle Additional Magistrate’s Court has imposed fines on two traders who pleaded guilty to selling rice above the stipulated Maximum Retail Price (MRP). 

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority, fines of Rs. 100,000 each, totalling Rs. 200,000, were imposed.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said the traders were apprehended during raids in the Galle area, part of its continuous island-wide campaign to curb illegal practices that inconvenience consumers. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) conducted special raids in Pettah yesterday, focusing on cosmetic and food outlets.

The CAA had detected unauthorized whitening creams and unregistered cosmetic products, which pose serious health risks to consumers, in several shops. 

During the raids, the CAA also found large stocks of imported chocolates without proper labelling, expiry dates, or ingredient information, which violate consumer protection laws and create serious safety concerns for the public.

The Consumer Affairs Authority said it will continue its island-wide inspections to protect consumers and ensure that only safe, genuine, and lawfully imported products are available.

The public is urged to report suspicious or unsafe products via the CAA’s hotline 1977. (Newswire)

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The Salt Manufacturers’ Association has decided to impose maximum retail prices for salt products and reduce prices. 

As such, the following maximum retail prices will be imposed:

• Crystal salt – Rs. 180 per kg
• Table salt – Rs. 240 per kg
• A 400g pack of table salt – Rs. 120 

The decision has been taken following discussions with the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA). (Newswire)

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The public has been warned of the circulation of expiring goods under the guise of bargain/ discount sales in view of the upcoming April festive season. 

Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Information Director Asela Bandara said there is a high possibility of the public being deceived during various bargain/ discount sales being held for the festive season. 

Speaking to the media, he warned that there was a possibility of expiring goods being sold by amending the date of expiry at places offering discounts and bargains for goods.

Asela Bandara requested the public to remain vigilant of such scams and to examine the quality of the products when purchasing goods. 

He added that the CAA will also conduct continuous raids to prevent hoarding by vendors, selling goods above the stipulated prices, and selling expired goods under amended expiry dates. 

The public who faces such issues when purchasing goods has been requested to contact the area CAA office or their hotline 1977. (NewsWire)

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A sum of Rs.400,000 has been collected as fines during raids carried out in the Polonnaruwa and Nuwara Eliya districts on Wednesday (Nov 15), the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) reported. 

According to the CAA, over Rs. 200 million has been collected as fines from raids carried out across Sri Lanka so far in 2023.

The CAA said a total of Rs. 220 million has been collected as fines following raids conducted across the island from January to October this year.

Stating that 22,000 raids were conducted during this period, the Authority said that legal action has been initiated against 19,000 persons. 

The CAA added that fines were imposed for hoarding stocks, selling goods at prices above the stipulated Maximum Retail Prices (MRP), selling expired goods and failing to display the prices of goods. (NewsWire)

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