Over Rs. 207 M in fines imposed for consumer violations

The Consumer Affairs Authority conducted 24,761 raids in 2024, resulting in 23,953 cases being filed. 

Magistrate's Courts imposed fines exceeding Rs. 207 million for cases that were concluded.

Authorities have directed officers to expedite the filing of cases on pending raids.

These raids were carried out in response to violations of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, including overcharging, misrepresenting product information, failing to display prices, not offering warranties for electrical appliances, withholding bills, engaging in anti-competitive practices and selling goods under unfair conditions.

The raids targeted various consumer goods such as foods, cosmetics, medicines, building materials and electrical appliances. 

The most frequently raided items included rice (3,114 raids), bread (1,624 raids) and biscuits (1,086 raids). 

Supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, clothing stores, mobile phone outlets, building materials stores and cosmetics shops were among the primary locations inspected.

Raids were conducted nationwide, with the Kurunegala, Gampaha, Kandy, Kegalle, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Ampara, Batticaloa and Matara districts leading in the efforts. 

Over a thousand raids were carried out in each of these districts, with Kurunegala alone accounting to 2,282 raids.

In 2025, officers have been instructed to act swiftly on consumer complaints, conduct inspections across the island and use intelligence to identify violations, ensuring legal action is taken against offenders.