–  The Avissawella Magistrate’s Court has ordered the destruction of more than 8,500 bottles of drinking water seized from a company in Seethawaka for allegedly using a counterfeit SLS standard logo and misleading consumers with an unauthorized brand name.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had filed the case against D.T.S. International (Private) Company and its director, alleging that the company manufactured and distributed drinking water bottles bearing the SLS standard logo without obtaining the required standard certification licence from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).

The CAA further alleged that the company had marketed the water under the name “Aquachill”, despite the Ministry of Health having approved the name “Lanka Premium” for the product.During a raid conducted by CAA officials on August 21, 2026, a large quantity of allegedly falsely labelled drinking water bottles was seized. The stock included bottles with capacities of 19 litres, five litres, 1,500 millilitres, 1,000 millilitres and 500 millilitres.

When the case was taken up before the Avissawella Magistrate’s Court on September 4, the accused pleaded guilty. The court subsequently imposed a fine of Rs. 40,000 on the company and its director.The Magistrate also ordered the destruction of the entire stock of more than 8,500 bottles produced as case material. The bottles were destroyed on the court premises in accordance with the court order.The CAA urged consumers to carefully check drinking water bottles before purchasing them, particularly the brand name, manufacturing and expiry dates, and the authenticity of the SLS standard mark.Consumers who have information regarding fraudulent or illegal trading activities can inform the CAA through its 1977 consumer hotline during office hours.