Errant traders nabbed in Matara

by P.P.G. Sugathadasa, Thihagoda Gr.Cor.

Consumer Affairs Authority of the Matara District Secretariat has earned a record income of Rs. 542,500 from errant traders as court fines in sudden raids and mobile inspections conducted during January and February this year.

According to C.A.A. Branch of the Matara District Secretariat they included raids and inspections on sale and display for sale food items unsuitable for human consumption, sale and display of expired food items, selling foodstuffs which were decayed and also eaten by rats, weevils and insects, altering set prices on labels and selling them at excessive rates, selling electrical appliances without issuing warranty cards,sales of rice and cement above set prices, non display of price lists and violating orders, rules and regulations imposed by the Consumer Affairs Authority.

These raids and mobile inspections were carried out covering all 16 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the district of Matara.

Errant traders and vendors were prosecuted in the Magistrates' Courts of Matara, Morawaka and Deiyandara in the Matara district, these officials said. Complaints on frauds, malpractices and corruptions being committed by unscrupulous traders are pouring in to the Authority daily.

Under these circumstances, the Consumer Affairs Authority has further intensified these raids and inspections so as to protect and safeguard consumers from these acts of frauds, corruptions and malpractices of crooked traders, CAA sleuths said.

On the instructions of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade and under the supervision of the Matara District Secretary E.A.C. Widanagamachchi these raids and inspections have been enhanced during this festive season in the Matara district, CAA officials said.