Three businesses in Jaffna have been fined a total of Rs. 668,000 by the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court for selling goods above regulated or printed prices.The fines were imposed following raids conducted by district investigation officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).A restaurant & liquor shop in Jaffna was fined Rs. 300,000 for selling a one-litre bottle of drinking water for Rs. 200, despite the maximum retail price being Rs. 120.Meanwhile, another café was fined Rs. 100,000 for selling a bottle of soda above its printed retail price.

Another trader was fined Rs. 268,000 after being prosecuted for selling Ponni Samba rice above the maximum retail price of Rs. 255 per kilogram.During court proceedings, the owner claimed that the rice was Paal Ponni. However, following a court order, a sample submitted by the CAA was examined by the Rice Research Institute, which confirmed that the stock was imported Ponni Samba rice.

The CAA has urged consumers to check the printed price and maximum retail price before purchasing goods and to obtain and retain receipts as evidence when making complaints. Consumers can report suspected trade violations to the Consumer Affairs Authority through its hotline, 1977, during working hours.