Avurudhu raids yield Rs 11.2 million

Irangika RANGE

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) earned over Rs 11.2 million through fines in islandwide raids conducted during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season.

CAA chairman Rumi Marzook told the Daily News that the authority received several complaints during the festive season regarding errant traders. The CAA team conducted 4,570 countrywide raids during the New Year season following complaints.

Meanwhile, the CAA had conducted 3,105 raids in March while 1,465 raids were carried out by the CAA flying squad from April 1 to 11. "We commenced raids to nab errant traders who engaged in deceptive conduct and unfair trade practices targeting the festive season on the instructions of Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando," Marzook said.

Raids were conducted in all parts of the country including the North and East.

Over 50,000 kgs of consumer items including rice, dhal, potatoes and big onions unsuitable for human consumption were confiscated he added.

Marzook said such raids were carried out to prevent sub-standard goods reaching the market.