The Kalutara Magistrate’s Court on the 17th imposed a fine of Rs. 1 million on a supermarket in the Beruwala area for selling rice above the maximum retail price of Rs. 260/- set for local Keeri Samba rice.
The case, which had been filed by the Kalutara District Investigation Officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority, was taken to the Kalutara Magistrate’s Court and the fine was imposed after the defendant supermarket pleaded guilty.
A kilo of local Keeri Samba rice, which had a maximum retail price of Rs. 260/-, was seized in this supermarket while it was being sold to consumers at Rs. 355/-, a Kalutara District Investigation Officer of the Consumer Affairs Authority said in response to a media query.
When the case was taken up before the Kalutara Magistrate’s Court, the fine was imposed after the management of the defendant supermarket pleaded guilty to the relevant charges.
Immediately inform the Consumer Affairs Authority during office hours on the 1977 short number regarding traders who are cheating consumers by selling food items that exceed the regulated price, are of substandard quality or are expired.