Questions raised on consumer protection laws in Sri Lanka

By Yohan Perera   

Questions have been raised as to whether there are sufficient laws in Sri Lanka to protect consumers from various hardships which they have to undergo in day to day life.   
Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman who raised this issue questioned about consumer protection laws in Sri Lanka. “Look at what the people have to engage in certain chores. A patient has to pay a large sum when channeling doctors. They have to pay few thousands as doctor’s fee, they have to pay hospital fee. In addition they have to pay parking fees at the hospital where they see the doctor. Parking fees increase if you stay longer. Sometimes you have to stay longer than expected if the doctor gets late to arrive. Does the Sri Lankan consumer protection law provide provisions for them to claim damages in such an instance?” he questioned.   
“The Sri Lankan consumer protection law is not adequately consumer friendly. It is friendlier towards the suppliers of goods and service,” he added.   
“I was working in the USA before I joined politics. I have seen people coming in rows to return the electrical goods they have purchased few days before. The consumer protection law in that country provides provisions for the consumers to return whatever goods they have purchased few days before. The funds they pay are reimbursed to them,” he added.