The Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court has fined an eatery in Ella Rs. 260,000 for selling bottled water above the maximum retail price and displaying expired drinks, following a prosecution by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).
CAA officers from the Badulla District raided the premises on 2 October. They found one-litre bottles of drinking water on sale for Rs. 200, Rs. 80 above the maximum retail price of Rs. 120, the CAA said.
Officers also found six 400 ml soda bottles that had expired on 29 September displayed for sale. The CAA said displaying expired food and drink is an offence.
The defendant pleaded guilty to all charges when the case was called on 14 October.
The CAA said the maximum retail price applies to all buyers, including foreign tourists. It urged the public to report overpricing and expired stock on its 1977 consumer hotline during office hours.
