A court has imposed fines of Rs. 1 million each on a holiday resort and a private company for selling bottled drinking water at excessively inflated prices.
The penalties were issued following raids conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), acting on information received regarding illegal price hikes.
According to an Ada Derana reporter, legal proceedings were initiated against a resort in Belihuloya and a private company based in Bandarawela.
In the first case, the CAA filed a complaint before the Balangoda Magistrate’s Court against the Belihuloya resort for selling a one-litre bottle of drinking water—normally priced at Rs. 100—for an exorbitant Rs. 400.
After reviewing the evidence, the court ordered the resort to pay a Rs. 1 million fine.
In a separate case, the CAA prosecuted a private company operating in the Ella area of Bandarawela for selling a 500-millilitre bottle of water, typically priced at Rs. 70, for Rs. 230. The court likewise imposed a Rs. 1 million fine for the violation.
The CAA stated that it will continue to enforce strict action against businesses that exploit consumers through unfair and unethical pricing practices.
