Over 17,600 CAA raids in six months

Irangika Range

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had earned Rs 52 million as fines following islandwide raids conducted from January 1 to June 30 this year.

'In all, 17,689 business establishments had violated the rules and regulations of the the Consumer Protection Act," Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando told the Daily News.

The minister said legal action had been initiated against errant traders for fleecing consumers by selling commodities at a higher than the maximum stipulated retail price, selling dated goods and failing to display the prices of goods, transporting vegetables without the use of plastic crates,non issuance of the guarantees, not displaying prices of items advertised through the electronic and print media and hoarding and selling goods under unhygienic conditions.

The minister said that raids were carried out following a number of public complaints regarding errant traders. Most of the errant traders who were nabbed were from the Colombo district.

CAA investigation teams conducted 2,292 raids in the Colombo district, 1,915 raids in the Kandy district, 1,572 raids in the Gampaha district 1,246 and 1.096 raids in the Kurunegala and the Matale districts respectively.

Minister Fernando observed that the CAA would ensure the strict enforcement of consumer laws for the benefit of the consumers.

He said consumers should protect their rights and inform the authorities about unfair trade practices.

"The government is doing its best to impose standards and regulations to protect consumer' rights," Fernando said. "Raids will be carried out to maintain discipline among traders. We are happy that a disciplined trade culture has been created among traders after this government came to power in 2005," the minister said.