CAA continues to track overpriced bottled water sales

Colombo, April 23 (Daily Mirror) - The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) is continuing its island-wide raids to track down vendors selling bottled drinking water at prices above the approved rates.

Accordingly, the CAA has imposed a maximum retail price for locally bottled drinking water as follows:

Rs. 70/- for 500 ml

Rs. 100/- for 1 litre

Rs. 130/- for 1.5 litres

Rs. 160/- for 2 litres

Rs. 350/- for 5 litres

All bottles, including those manufactured before the issuance of the relevant gazette, must now be sold at or below these maximum prices, regardless of the previously printed price. 

Bottled water produced after the gazette must display the new prices on the packaging.

Any business entity registered as a company that sells bottled water above the set prices will be fined between Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 5 million for a first offense. Entities that are not registered as companies will be fined between Rs. 100,000 and Rs. 500,000. Additionally, non-company vendors may face up to six months’ imprisonment, or both a fine and imprisonment, for a first offense. Penalties will be increased for repeat offenses.

The CAA will continue to enforce these regulations through regular inspections across the country.