Traders without price lists to be prosecuted

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

The Consumer Affairs Authority will strictly enforce the rule on wholesale and retail traders who fail to display prices of consumer goods at trade stalls, shops and in supermarkets under the provisions of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act.

"We have directed several investigation officers from the Consumer Affairs Authority to check on traders who fail to display price lists at their shops, supermarkets and markets as well. We will conduct raids on groceries, retailers, supermarkets, and at the Manning Market to make sure that traders comply with this law. Those who fail to comply will be prosecuted in courts," said the Acting Director General of the Consumer Affairs Authority Chandrika Tilekeratne.

Asked why such action was not taken earlier, she said 60 percent of raids were carried out in the past under these provisions.

Courts can impose fines from Rs. 1,000 to Rs 200,000 and jail terms ranging from six months to two years on those found guilty under Section 26 of Act No. 26 of 2003.

The Acting Director General said the idea was to check traders who deceive the public by not displaying prices in the open market. All traders have been instructed by the Consumer Affairs Authority to display prices on goods for sale. She said it was mandatory that goods sold in the open market are pricemarked on wrappers or in the packs. Consumer goods such as rice, dhal, sugar, onions, potatoes, vegetables, fish, fruits and meat have to be pricemarked.

"When prices are marked, the public have a choice in selecting goods and traders are not in a position to mislead the public. After all, the consumers have a right to this information," she said.

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando had instructed the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority a fortnight ago to enforce the provisions of the Act to protect gullible consumers from exploitation.

The Acting Director General said the public have a right to complain to the Consumer Affairs Authority about traders who do not display price tags at shops. The public can also complain about defective products that traders sell to the Complaints Unit at the Consumers Affairs Authority. The hot line at the Consumer Affairs Authority is 011-31344477-8.