The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), with the support of the Colombo Fort Police, carried out a special raid in the Galle Face area on Monday, targeting vendors engaged in unfair trade practices.

During the operation, CAA officers detected traders who were selling products above stipulated prices and offering expired goods to customers.

CAA officials said strict legal action will be taken against those found violating consumer protection laws. 

The CAA emphasized that safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring public safety remain top priorities, and pledged to continue island‑wide enforcement operations to curb malpractice. (Newswire)

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The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has imposed a fine of Rs. 200,000 on a merchant in Colombo 11 who pleaded guilty to selling Samba rice above the stipulated maximum retail price.

The case was filed following a raid by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on Tuesday (28) at a shop on the 5th Cross Street in Colombo.

The CAA confirmed that the merchant had sold a 5kg pack of Samba rice, priced at Rs. 240 per kilo under the MRP, for Rs. 1,425, charging Rs. 285 per kilo.

The court was informed that the merchant had committed similar offences on two previous occasions. 

Upon pleading guilty, the Magistrate imposed the Rs. 200,000 fine and warned against further violations. (Newswire/ AI image)

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The Kegalle District Consumer Affairs Office carried out special raids on Sunday (05), targeting traders in Thalduwa and Dehiowita towns who were exploiting consumers during the Avurudu festive season.

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), shops and beauty salons were thoroughly inspected, and strict legal action was taken against those found guilty of malpractice. 

Offences uncovered included selling Samba rice above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), hoarding Keeri Samba rice while falsely claiming it was out of stock, selling goods without price displays, offering expired goods for sale, and selling items without mandatory SLS certification. Inspections also revealed the use of substandard materials in beauty salons.

Authorities urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing goods during the festive season, reminding them to check expiry dates and displayed prices. 

The CAA further encouraged the public to report any irregularities via its hotline 1977. (Newswire/ AI Image)

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The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has imposed a fine of Rs. 600,000 on a business establishment in the Kolonnawa area, found guilty of selling a bottle of drinking water at a price exceeding the government-controlled rate.

The case was filed by the Narahenpita District Office of the Consumer Affairs Authority.

The accused business had sold a 500ml bottle of drinking water, priced at the controlled rate of Rs. 70, for Rs. 90, thereby committing an offence under consumer protection regulations.

At yesterday’s hearing, the accused establishment pleaded guilty before the court.

Prior to sentencing, investigation officers from the Consumer Affairs Authority informed the court that, under the law, fines for such offences could range from a minimum of Rs. 500,000 to a maximum of Rs. 5,000,000.

After reviewing the facts presented, the Magistrate imposed a fine of Rs. 600,000 on the business. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority has issued a Gazette notification on regulating locally manufactured reusable plastic bottles for carrying drinkable liquids and feeding bottles made of Polymer Materials, requiring them to carry the SLS Product Certification Mark issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution.

The Gazette notification applies to all manufacturers, packers, distributors, transporters, store owners, and traders.

No one is allowed to produce, pack, distribute, transport, store, sell, or display these products—whether wholesale or retail—unless they carry the SLS Product Certification Mark issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution.

The Consumer Affairs Authority further directs that no importer, packer, distributor, transporter, store owner, or trader may handle any imported products listed below—whether by importing, packing, distributing, transporting, storing, selling, or displaying them for sale, wholesale or retail—unless they meet inspection requirements.

These products must be inspected and approved under the Import Inspection Scheme operated by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, as per the Imports (Standardization and Quality Control) Regulation of 2006. 

The specified products include:

(i) Sri Lanka Standard Specification for Reusable Plastic Bottles for Carrying Drinkable Liquids – SLS 1616

(ii) Sri Lanka Standard Specification for Feeding Bottles Made of Polymer Materials – SLS 1306

The Gazette will come into effect from 01st April 2026.

Gazette : https://documents.gov.lk/view/extra-gazettes/2025/10/2456-42_E.pdf (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says 500 kilograms of counterfeit hair dye that were found during a previous raid were destroyed at the industrial premises of the INSEE Company in Puttalam last week (26). 

According to the CAA, the stock of counterfeit hair dye was destroyed under the supervision of the Additional Registrar of the Court, in compliance with the orders of the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

The CAA further said that the market value of the goods exceeded Rs. 5.1 million, and the defendants incurred an additional expense of Rs. 2.1 million for their destruction. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has raided shops around the Colombo National Hospital, found to be operating in violation of the consumer law. 

According to the CAA, the shops were found to be selling goods at high prices and without displaying prices.

The raids were conducted recently (10 May), based on a tip-off, while the CAA has initiated action against those violating the laws. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has warned the public of a racket involving the sale of meat of hens killed in the recent floods experienced in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the media today, the Director of the CAA Special Raids Unit, Sanjaya Irasinghe said several complaints have been received in this regard.

“We have received information of a racket where these dead hens are being cleaned, packeted and sold to the public,” he said. 

Explaining the difference in meat, Sanjaya Irasinghe said broiler chickens are white in colour due to a lack of blood, while these unhygienic chickens are red in colour. 

The Director of the CAA Special Raids Unit advised the public to refrain from purchasing such chicken meat due to the possibility of it being contaminated with various bacteria due to the floods.

“Such bacteria may not die, even if the meat is cooked in high flame. Please be vigilant when purchasing chicken meat,” he warned. 

Sanjaya Irasinghe revealed that chicken meat was currently being sold for Rs. 1100 to Rs. 1200, but these contaminated meat were being sold for a slightly higher price than that. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a Gazette notification stipulating a maximum retail price (MRP) for eggs by weight.

According to the Gazette, the MRP of a kilo of white eggs is Rs. 880, while the MRP of a single white egg is Rs. 44. 

Meanwhile, the MRP of a kilo of brown eggs is Rs. 920 and the MRP of a single brown egg is Rs. 46.

The CAA has also ordered that no Manufacturer, Producer, Supplier, Distributor or Trader shall sell, supply, expose or offer for sale, or display for sale the item listed below, exceeding the Maximum Retail Price.

The Consumer Affairs Authority stated that the Gazette notification comes into effect today, 20th April 2023. (NewsWire)

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