CAA launches islandwide market raids for New Year

Colombo, March 22 (Daily Mirror) - With the aim of preventing consumers from being treated unfairly in the market during the upcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year festive season, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has taken steps to implement a special market raids and investigations program throughout the island from Saturday (March 20).

In particular, it is hoped that this will prevent situations where certain traders, taking advantage of the global political and economic instability, including the current Middle East crisis, are tempted to create an artificial shortage in the market by hiding essential food items, gas and fuel and unjustifiably increase the prices of goods. In addition, all investigation officers of the Authority will be deployed on duty continuously on weekends and public holidays to prevent market irregularities that may occur during the festive season.

Under this special program, strict attention will be paid to regular inspections of warehouses and wholesale outlets and legal action will be taken against traders who hide goods. In addition, raids and investigations will be carried out regarding trade misconduct including selling above the maximum retail price or at a price higher than the price written on the goods, not displaying prices, selling expired goods, selling substandard goods and not issuing bills. Gas distributors and fuel stations will also be constantly monitored to ensure uninterrupted supply to consumers.

Accordingly, all investigation officers have been instructed to strictly enforce the law under the CAA Act against traders who violate the relevant laws during the upcoming festive season. Complaints regarding any injustice or market irregularities faced by consumers can be submitted to this authority during office hours through the short number 1977.

The CAA further requests all the trading community to understand the prevailing situation, refrain from unfair business practices in the market, protect consumer rights and engage in regular and lawful trade.