CAA conducts nearly 3,000 raids over rice trade violations this year

Colombo, Sept. 14 (Daily Mirror) - The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said that nearly 3,000 raids have been conducted so far this year in connection with irregularities in the rice trade.

The raids targeted a range of violations, including selling rice at inflated prices, hoarding stocks, and distributing rice unfit for consumption. Of these, more than 1,000 raids were linked to selling rice above the controlled price, resulting in over 900 individuals being prosecuted in court.

The CAA said that individual traders found guilty of selling rice at higher prices can face fines ranging from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 500,000, imprisonment of up to five months, or both.

In the case of private companies, courts may impose fines starting from Rs. 500,000. Offenders convicted of hoarding rice may face fines, imprisonment, or both, with the additional penalty of having their goods confiscated under the Authority Act.

Furthermore, for repeat offenders, courts are empowered to impose double the minimum fine and extend imprisonment up to one year.