Legal action to be taken against traders for selling goods at higher prices

1 December 2025 10:19 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

A A A

Colombo, Dec. 1 (Daily Mirror)- The Commissioner General of Essential Services announced today that legal action will be taken against any business or individual who employs unfair or malicious trading practices by increasing prices, unnecessarily hoarding or concealing consumer goods while taking advantage of the current disaster situation.

Commissioner General of Essential Services B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi said it has been observed that some traders are attempting to sell consumer goods at exorbitantly high prices, unjustly taking advantage of the difficulties faced by the public due to the current disaster situation.

"Such actions are illegal under the laws and regulations pertaining to Essential Services and Consumer Protection. At this time, when the Sri Lankan community must act with exemplary unity, attempting to gain illicit profit by selling consumer goods at unfairly high prices is both immoral and illegal," he said.

All traders must ensure the continuous supply of consumer goods to every citizen by selling items at their Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) where marked, and selling all other goods at reasonable prices.

Comments - 4

Dr Tissa Fernando Monday, 01 December 2025 11:58 PM

Traders are not producers. If producers increase prices due to supply shortage, traders could stop buying them at higher prices and there won't be anything on the shelves. So the remaining supply will rot with the producers, and pacha samare has more justification to import vegetables too.

2 28

Dr. Dee esquire Tuesday, 02 December 2025 07:39 AM

What action can you take with pavement hawkers and makeshift shops?

0 1

D P P Prasad Tuesday, 02 December 2025 08:08 AM

It is a good decision taken by the government to raid the traders and merchants who are selling essential food items at exorbitant prices during this disastrous period. However certain persons are buying and piling the food stocks unnecessarily. A prescribed mechanism should be adapted to mitigate even this issue. On the other hand the traders who are hoarding certain food items are also should be detected.

0 6

Mike Wednesday, 03 December 2025 04:44 PM

Set up a automated complaint line... to catch a crook

0 0

222

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.