Over Rs 50 m in fines from errant traders last year

Irangika Range

The Sri Lanka Measurement Unit's, Standards and Services Department's Flying Squad Division has earned over Rs. 50 million last year in fines from errant traders and black marketeers who fleeced customers, flouting the Measurements Units, Standards and Services Act.

The Department under the instructions of Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando conducted nearly 10,500 raids islandwide last year and nabbed these errant traders.

These violations included the selling of underweight bread, using unregulated weights and measurements, using unauthorized and uncertified balances and other offences violating the Measurement Units, Standards and Services Act No 35 of 1995.

Officers of the Department verified one million weights and measures equipment in 2011 bringing in an income of Rs. 100 million. The Department earned only Rs. 70 million by verifying weights and measures equipment in 2010.