Shop owner fined Rs. 500,000 for selling bottled water above ceiling price

20 August 2025 07:15 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

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By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, August 20 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeevani Pathirana imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on the owner of Shasha Ceylon Food Pvt. Ltd, operating along the Port City, for selling bottled water priced at Rs. 70 for Rs. 200.

The case was investigated following information received by the Consumer Affairs Authority from its main office’s investigation unit.

The investigating officers informed court that the suspect had been arrested during the raid.

The officers further stated that the suspect was caught selling a 500 ml bottled water, which had a retail price of Rs. 70, for Rs. 200.

The alleged violation was committed under Sections 20(5) and 68 of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 09 of 2003, as well as Section 60(4A) of the 2021 amendment to the Act.

The investigation officer told court that a gazette notification had previously been issued to prevent the sale of bottled water above the controlled price. Investigations revealed that some establishments were selling bottled water at inflated prices, prompting swift action by the authorities to raid such locations.

Comments - 9

Yohan Wednesday, 20 August 2025 07:24 PM

Excellent. Government can easily make revenue if they raid all the fish stalls, meat stalls, grocery shops and small places that sell short eats. Most places do not show prices and try to scam buyers. Also the officers should raid shops in tourist destinations as some have doubled or more when selling. For example a guy was chrged 250 for a cup of a popular coffee based product when the actual price is around 150.

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Cassie Wednesday, 20 August 2025 11:41 PM

If you go abroad and buy from 711, a vending machine or a gas station the cost of everyrhing is double than if you buy from a store, much more than the suggested retail price. Even the Sri Lankan government enforces double prices for hotels and attractions for non-citizen tourists charging them in USD too. Dont you think that is a scam too? So all this drama is hypocritical.

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Cassie Wednesday, 20 August 2025 07:33 PM

People who are willing to pay more for convenience will not have a problem with it. Hotels charge more for everything than the corner shop. So do online vendors. So what is this nonsense law that leads to an arrest? Seriously!

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Yohan Wednesday, 20 August 2025 11:33 PM

Hotels and restaurants can include a service fee instead of going above mrp. No excuse for that. If it is an online seller, they can include any additional cost as service or delivery fee. No excuse with any essential items mate.

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Guppi Wednesday, 20 August 2025 10:43 PM

Would you get a bottle of water in Sahara dessert as priced at a supermarket, or on top of Sigiriya rock?

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Ananda Bopage Wednesday, 20 August 2025 10:52 PM

There are a lot to be done, lets hope this government will do more justice.

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Ram P Thursday, 21 August 2025 07:06 AM

The sentence is really good as other traders will think twice before overcharging customers. It is also a boon to customers as they are likely to get their provisions at the prices fixed for them

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R Navaratnam Thursday, 21 August 2025 08:15 AM

The organization deserves the punishment. Note: Current administration is requested to use the fines wisely for the betterment of people.

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Jude Thursday, 21 August 2025 10:28 AM

Bottled water Dasani another name for Biyagama Pipewster. Then French bottle water Aquafina in English Straight from the tap. Then there's expensive bottle water By the name Evian this bottle water clams coming from French alps and so expensive and you should be naive to Buy it and the label says that, naive spelled backwards Evian.

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