A restaurant in Ella has been fined Rs. 1 million for selling a one-litre bottle of drinking water at twice the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) prescribed by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

Legal action was taken against Mandala Cafe & Bar Pvt Ltd, located at No. 18, Railway Station Road, Ella, after CAA officers detected the violation during a raid.

According to the CAA, officers found that the restaurant was selling a one-litre bottle of drinking water for Rs. 200, although the applicable MRP at the time was Rs. 100.

The Rs. 100 MRP had been prescribed under Order No. 93, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2430/15 dated April 1, 2025, which was in force when the raid was conducted.

When the case was taken up before the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (23), the company pleaded guilty to the charge. The court subsequently imposed a Rs. 1 million fine.

The CAA, however, stressed that the Rs. 100 price applicable at the time of the offence is not the current MRP for a one-litre bottle of drinking water.

Under Extraordinary Gazette No. 2492/29 dated June 10, 2026, the current MRP for locally packaged bottled drinking water is Rs. 80 for 500ml–999ml, Rs. 120 for 1L–1.499L, Rs. 150 for 1.5L–1.999L, Rs. 180 for 2L–2.499L and Rs. 400 for 5L–6.999L bottles. Accordingly, the current MRP for a 1L–1.499L bottle of drinking water is Rs. 120.

The CAA urged consumers purchasing bottled water from restaurants, cafés, hotels, resorts and other retail establishments to check the applicable MRP and obtain a bill or receipt to verify the amount charged.

It also reminded tourist hotels, restaurants, cafés, resorts and other traders that operating in a tourist area or any other location does not permit them to sell products above a prescribed MRP.

Consumers can report overcharging for bottled drinking water and other market irregularities to the Consumer Affairs Authority through its 1977 hotline. (Newswire)

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A hotel in Dambulla has been fined Rs. 500,000 after pleading guilty to selling a bottle of drinking water marked at Rs. 100 for Rs. 300, according to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

The case was filed against Sigiriya Kingdom Resort (Pvt) Ltd, located on Rathmalgaha Ela Road, Vihara Junction, Dambulla, following an inspection carried out by investigation officers attached to the CAA’s Matale District Office.

The inspection was conducted around January 2, 2025, after authorities detected the sale of bottled drinking water at a price higher than the marked price.

According to the CAA, the establishment had sold a bottled drinking water product carrying a marked price of Rs. 100 for Rs. 300.

When the case was taken up before court yesterday (23), the defendant company pleaded guilty to the charge. The Magistrate’s Court subsequently imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000.

The CAA, however, clarified that the Rs. 100 price involved in the case is not the current Maximum Retail Price (MRP) applicable to bottled drinking water.

Under Order No. 96, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2492/29 dated June 10, 2026, the current MRP for locally packaged bottled drinking water varies according to bottle size.

The maximum prices are Rs. 80 for 500ml–999ml, Rs. 120 for 1L–1.499L, Rs. 150 for 1.5L–1.999L, Rs. 180 for 2L–2.499L and Rs. 400 for 5L–6.999L.

Accordingly, the current maximum retail price of a 1L–1.499L bottle of drinking water is Rs. 120.

The CAA advised consumers purchasing bottled water from hotels, resorts, restaurants and retail outlets to check the applicable MRP based on the bottle size and obtain a bill or receipt for their purchase.

Hotels, resorts, restaurants and retailers were also reminded that products subject to a prescribed maximum retail price must not be sold above the applicable MRP.

The public can report overcharging and other market irregularities to the Consumer Affairs Authority through its 1977 hotline. (Newswire)

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The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on a railway catering service after it was found guilty of selling bottled drinking water above the Government‑prescribed Maximum Retail Price (MRP) aboard the Kankesanthurai–Colombo train.

The case was filed by Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) district investigation officers following a special raid in Anuradhapura on July 9, 2026. During the inspection, officers discovered that a 1000 ml bottle of water, marked at Rs. 120, was being sold for Rs. 150 inside the train canteen.

Upon considering the evidence, the Magistrate ruled that the establishment had violated Direction No. 96 issued under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act and imposed the penalty.

The CAA has formally notified the Sri Lanka Railways Department about the sale of goods at excessive prices in train canteens. Officials confirmed that the same establishment had previously faced legal action for similar violations and has now been strictly warned to comply fully with consumer protection laws.

The Authority emphasized that while it seeks to guide traders through awareness and instruction, it will not hesitate to take strict legal action against any trader or establishment that disregards regulations.

Passengers are urged to report traders selling goods above the prescribed Maximum Retail Price aboard trains or elsewhere via the CAA hotline 1977. (Newswire/ AI image)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has initiated legal proceedings against a canteen operating inside the Colombo–Jaffna express train after officials uncovered the sale of drinking water bottles above the stipulated price.

During a raid conducted at the Anuradhapura Railway Station, CAA officers found that bottles marked at Rs. 120 were being sold for Rs. 150, exploiting passengers. 

Officials confirmed that legal action has been initiated against those responsible.

The CAA has also formally notified the Department of Railways in writing about the inconvenience caused to commuters by inflated prices in train canteens. 

Authorities revealed that four similar raids have been carried out recently, targeting canteens inside train compartments. (Newswire)

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The Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court today imposed fines totalling Rs. 600,000 on two traders found guilty of overcharging consumers in the tourist town.

One shop was fined Rs. 500,000 for selling a 750ml drinking water bottle at Rs. 30 above the stipulated price. 

Another trader was fined Rs. 100,000 for selling rice above the government‑regulated Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

The cases were filed following raids conducted by officers of the Nuwara Eliya District Office of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

The CAA reminded consumers to always check the printed MRP when purchasing essential goods, request receipts, and report violations to the CAA hotline 1977. (Newswire)

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The Matara Magistrate’s Court yesterday (29) imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 on a supermarket in Matara for selling bottled water above the government-regulated Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), the stipulated MRP for a 1 litre water bottle is Rs. 100, but the supermarket sold it at a higher price, violating price control regulations.

CAA officers from the Matara District conducted a raid, reported the case to the court, and the shop owner pleaded guilty before being fined.

The CAA has reminded consumers to always check the printed MRP and expiry date before purchasing goods, and urged the public not to pay more than the stipulated price.

Consumers are also encouraged to report such violations with proof, such as receipts, to its hotline 1977. (Newswire/ AI image)

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The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court yesterday (28) imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 on a vendor for selling drinking water bottles above the maximum retail price at the canteen of the ‘Meenagaya’ train.

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), investigations revealed that the stipulated maximum retail price for a 1000 ml water bottle is Rs. 100. 

However, the vendor had sold the bottles for Rs. 160, overcharging passengers on the Colombo to Batticaloa train by Rs. 60.

The raid was conducted by an investigating officer from the CAA, who posed as a regular customer and purchased the overpriced bottle before taking action. (Newswire/ AI image)

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The Central Environment Authority (CEA) says the new directive of the Consumer Affairs Authority, making the SLS Product Certification Mark on water bottles mandatory, is effective from April 1, 2026. 

Issuing a notice, the CEA said the move has been taken to ensure public safety, particularly for children. 

According to the CEA, the products that must carry the SLS certification mark are as follows;

• Plastic bottles suitable for repeated use in carrying liquid beverages must comply with SLS 1616 specifications.
• Feeding bottles made of plastic materials for infants must comply with SLS 1306 specifications.

The CEA further pointed out that under Section 12(1) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003:

• Locally manufactured bottles must carry the SLS certification mark.
• Imported bottles must be approved by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).

The CEA also warned that the sale, manufacture, packaging, transportation, storage, import, distribution, or display of non-compliant bottles is strictly prohibited. 

Earlier in October, the Consumer Affairs Authority 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. (Newswire)

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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 Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today fined a private company in Colombo for selling a bottle of drinking water over the stipulated maximum retail price. 

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), the court imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on the private company.

The CAA further said that the company had sold a bottle of drinking water priced at Rs. 70 for Rs. 200. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Additional Magistrate has imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 on a shop owner on the ground floor of the Colombo Lotus Tower for selling a bottle of drinking water at a price higher than the Maximum Retail Price of Rs. 80.

The suspect was arrested during a raid conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority’s (CAA) investigation unit, based on a complaint received.

CAA Officials informed the court that the suspect had sold a 500 ML bottled drinking water, priced at Rs. 80, for Rs. 150, in violation of the MRP regulation.

They further stated that a gazette notification issued to protect consumers from exploitation has officially banned the sale of bottled water above the government-controlled price. (Newswire)

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