Errant traders prosecuted

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Cooperative and Internal Trade Ministry Consumer Protection investigators have prosecuted over 5,500 traders against unfair trade practices and exploitation of consumers during the past ten months.

The Government has earned Rs 18 million as fines imposed on errant traders for selling goods at higher prices than marked prices, not displaying price lists, hoarding products, refusing to give purchased receipts to consumers, selling expired products ,violating labelling instructions , selling substandard products and misleading consumers.

Among the arrested were some Co-op City traders who have been charged for not displaying price lists.

This is the largest number of traders Consumer Affairs Authority has prosecuted for violating the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in a year, sources at the Consumer Affairs Authority yesterday said.

The progress has resulted from what the Ministry has done in keeping with the instructions of Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando to enforce the Consumer Protection Act in full force, said Consumer Affairs Authority Acting Director General Chandrika Tillekeratna.

The Cooperative and Internal Trade Ministry has positioned its consumer protection sleuths throughout the country, she said.

"We are recruiting more officers to enhance operations," she said.

Sales of commodities in every main market is under surveillance of inspectors.

Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said moves are under way to establish a tradition of decent commerce in the country with fair trade practices. Measures are not intended to give a hard time to the traders, he said.