Deyata Kirula:

Raids to nab errant traders

The Anuradhapura district Consumer Care Authority has embarked on a large scale raiding programme to nab errant hawkers and unscrupulous traders going in and out of the Oyamaduwa Deyata Kirula exhibition venue.

On a request made to Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando by the Deyata Kirula exhibition steering committee Chairman Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, the raids were launched from February 6.

Head of the Anuradhapura District Consumer Care Authority Gunadasa Lankapura said six hawkers were caught while selling cooled bottled water and bottled fruit drinks within and outside the exhibition venue. They are expected to appear before the Anuradhapura magistrate on February 17.

The raids are continuing until February 12.

He said his officers have warned about following rules and regulations of the Consumer Care Authority Act in performing businesses.

Lankapura said parallel to Deyata Kirula , the authority selected the best three traders in the 23 Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Anuradhapura district based on their level of adherence to the Consumer Care Regulations, their public relations, fair trading and genuineness.

These traders will be offered trophies, cash awards and certificates on February 12 by Minister Johnston Fernando.

"Coinciding with Deyata Kirula , we held a general knowledge competition among schoolchildren in Padaviya Parakramapura zone and offered three TV sets worth Rs 100,000 each to Buddhangala MV, Padaviya Mahasen MV and Parakramapura MV," Lankapura said.