Supermarkets cannot charge for polythene bags, says SC

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Supreme Court directed the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to direct supermarkets within seven days not to levy charges for plastic bags (shopping bags) which are issued free to consumers with the goods they buy.

The Supreme Court issued this order when the rights case against levying charges for such bags by the supermarkets was taken before the Court yesterday. Deputy Solicitor General Bimba Thilakarathne Jayasinghe informed the court that the CAA could issue such directions according to the CAA Act to the supermarkets.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC with Justices K. Sri Pavan and P.A. Rathnayake PC.

Counsel Sudath Jayasundara earlier submitted that a supermarket in Matara is charging various prices according to the sizes of the shopping bags given to the customers. He submitted that those bags were earlier given free and certain other supermarkets are too charging for bags.

Petitioner Liyanagamage Ariyapala of Kottegoda, Matara complained to the court that consumers’ rights are violated by the action of the supermarkets and sough a declaration to that effect and a directive to the Consumer Protection Authority to formulate a guideline on the dispensing of such bags at Supermarkets as well as in other retail outlets.

The petitioner cited Rummy Marzook, Chairman of the CPA, the CPA, the Minister of Environment, Central Environment Authority (CEA), its Chairman and the Attorney General as respondents.

The case to be mentioned on October 24.