Over 20,000 CAA raids in five months

Irangika Range

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) conducted over 20,000 raids against deceptive and unfair trade practices by errant traders during January to May this year.

A CAA spokesman said that Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando had directed the CAA officials to intensify their raids on errant traders.

The ministry has taken steps to increase the number of CAA raids to 700,000 this year and to grant a 10 percent commission to the officers conducting the raids. The decision has been aimed at motivating CAA officers to intensify countrywide raids. He said that the CAA received a large number of complaints from consumers regarding deceptive and unfair trade practices.

He further said that conducting raids are not meant to victimize traders but with the sole intention of establishing a disciplined business culture.