179 urea bags confiscated in fertilizer price scam in Matara

Colombo, June 6 (Daily Mirror) - The Matara Magistrate’s Court has imposed fines and suspended prison sentences on a fertilizer distributor and a local agro dealer after they pleaded guilty to charges related to selling urea fertilizer at incorrect prices, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.

According to the court ruling delivered on June 3, 2026, the case involved the sale and offering for sale of 50-kilogram urea fertilizer bags with altered or incorrect pricing, in violation of consumer protection regulations.

The court fined AgStar PLC Rs. 100,000 and handed down a three-month suspended prison sentence. 

Meanwhile, Perera Agro Center in Matara was fined Rs. 10,000 and received a one-month suspended prison sentence after admitting guilt to the charges.

The court also ordered the confiscation of 179 bags of 50-kilogram urea fertilizer seized during a raid conducted by officers of the CAA.

Authorities said the action was taken to protect farmers from unfair trading practices and to maintain transparency in the fertilizer market.

The CAA urged farmers to carefully check the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) displayed on fertilizer bags before making purchases and to be alert for any signs that prices have been removed, altered, or tampered with. Farmers were also advised to obtain receipts for all fertilizer purchases.

Consumers can report suspected violations to the CAA through its hotline, 1977, during office hours.