Rs. 100,000 fine on vendor for overcharging water on Meenagaya train

29 April 2026 02:59 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 3 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, April 29 (Daily Mirror) - A vendor operating on the “Meenagaya” train service was fined Rs. 100,000 by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court yesterday (28) after being found guilty of selling bottled drinking water above the maximum retail price.

The case involved a 1000 ml (1 litre) water bottle, which has a stipulated maximum retail price of Rs. 100. However, the vendor had sold the same item for Rs. 160, overcharging passengers by Rs. 60.

The incident occurred on the train service operating between Meenagaya train running from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Batticaloa.

The prosecution was initiated following a raid conducted by an investigating officer of the Consumer Affairs Authority, who posed as a regular passenger and purchased the overpriced water bottle.

The court, taking into account the violation of consumer protection regulations, imposed the fine after concluding that the vendor had unfairly exploited commuters by exceeding the regulated price ceiling.

Comments - 3

Terrence K Thursday, 30 April 2026 08:00 AM

The maximum retail price of water is Rs.100/- and this vendor has charged Rs. 160/- being the price of a bottle of water. My question is whether the rules and regulations have compassion on these vendors who have to carry these crates of water from one carriage to another to sell a bottle of water. Now to bring bottled water to the Railway station these vendors have to pay money to three wheelers the fare of which is in todays context high consequent to the rise in fuel prices. When taking the costs which includes the labour costs is it not reasonable to charge Rs. 160/- which is only Rs. 60/- whilst soft drinks made by Corporates have sky rocketed. Always these poor vendors are at the receiving end of all the brickbats whilst the Corporates are making exorbitant profits with no questions levelled. Is it justifiable to have laws to throttle these poor time vendors!!!!!!!

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Lontha Thursday, 30 April 2026 10:13 AM

Unfair for his trouble to get into train and keep a profit. How about Shangrilla charging some 5000 rupees for a maalu-paan( fish bun)?

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Gamaya Friday, 01 May 2026 08:31 AM

Only the poor working class who can't afford to fight back are harassed in this manner. what about the profiteers who steal state and public assets? A water bottle and sandwich at the airport has a price mark-up of over 80%

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