Sri Lanka consumer protection agency raids traders selling rice above MRP

Feb 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka's consumer protection agency, Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has carried out instant raids island wide to nab errant traders selling rice at increased prices.

The CAA teams have carried out over 4,000 raids island wide out since the government gazetted the Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) for imported and local rice.

The authority conducted 137 raids yesterday alone and judicial action has been taken against 52 traders who had violated the price regulations.

The highest number of raids had been carried out within the Colombo District. Many raids had also been conducted in the Kandy, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa and Kegalle Districts.

A maximum selling price for rice has been stipulated. Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said that the related gazette notification has been issued and it is mandatory to display the price list of rice. He emphasized that legal action would be taken against traders who do not comply with regulation.