Restaurant owner fined Rs. 75,000 for selling insect-infested food

21 July 2025 07:07 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 13 Bookmark

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By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, July 21 (Daily Mirror) - Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama Weerasinghe imposed a fine of Rs. 75,000 on a restaurant owner in Kollupitiya, after he pleaded guilty to selling insect-infested food.

The magistrate further imposed a three months prison sentence, suspended for five years.

The case was filed following a complaint by a customer who had purchased fried rice contaminated with insects. The complainant had reported the matter to the Public Health Inspector’s (PHI) office in Kollupitiya.

The court also ordered the restaurant owner to pay Rs. 60,000 as compensation to the complainant.

The owner of a restaurant located near the Kollupitiya junction was taken into custody and produced before court following a raid carried out by the Kollupitiya Public Health Inspector.

Public Health Inspector Indika Pitawela told the court that several restaurants in the Kollupitiya junction were inspected following public complaints, during which the offending restaurant was found to be in violation of public health regulations.

Comments - 13

Grace Monday, 21 July 2025 07:28 PM

Very good punishment. Hit such unscrupulous people in their pockets where it hurts them.

0 27

Dr Sapumal Monday, 21 July 2025 10:39 PM

Income of one day (or less)

0 14

Yohan Monday, 21 July 2025 09:06 PM

Good move. PHI should regularly inspect and also provide guidence to hotel on regular basis. Specially raids should be done on food outlets within close proximity to main bus stands.

0 28

Mokan Monday, 21 July 2025 09:46 PM

Name the restaurant please

0 45

Watch out on bakeries Monday, 21 July 2025 10:09 PM

Please also check bakeries they sell short eats what was fried previous day at 11pm. When you feel the bitter taste you know what I mean.

0 31

Jude Tuesday, 22 July 2025 12:33 AM

Insects are delicacy and a nutritious food in Thailand.

9 1

Caterers Tuesday, 22 July 2025 05:05 AM

There are so many food outlets in Fort/Pettah. Check those also please without waiting for a complaint to be made. PHIs also take bribes. That has to be stopped first!

0 10

vdot Tuesday, 22 July 2025 05:17 AM

Regular checks by health authorities of all food outlets should be mandatory ..even those small outlets ..checking how food is displayed and temperatures maintained for to keep food bacteria free . checking on health and safety in kitchens regularly the working staff and the food they produce ..A certificate issued to be displayed ..so that consumers can refer to the authorities if there is any breach of rules This should be inclusive of street food outlets ,even those catering from homes as a small business . The local authorities should plan and implement for the health and safety of the people . we want to keep up with the world out there ..perhaps this could be an area to train personnel to be harnessed for this aspect of health and safety out there .

0 4

Dr Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 22 July 2025 06:27 AM

Customers should complain and ask gor compensation plus case fees .

0 6

Gabriella Tuesday, 22 July 2025 08:59 AM

Most public places including restaurants are unhygienic and a health hazard. One of the major health hazards is that oil used for frying is not changed for years.

0 7

Jude Tuesday, 22 July 2025 09:42 AM

Insects delicacy in some countries.

5 1

Over to you PHIs Tuesday, 22 July 2025 10:25 AM

Brown Nadu rice available in leading supermarkets contain some kind of an oily substance which gets coated on the palm when cleaning with water. All the utensils get coated with this oily substance which might be a chemical to keep away insects. Please investigate.

0 7

Concerned Tuesday, 22 July 2025 11:43 AM

This fine isn’t enough. Should be a higher price to pay! The next time they would be careful knowing how much of a fine they have to pay which will be a loss to part of their days earning

0 2

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