The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has announced that fines amounting to nearly Rs. 49.9 million were imposed following 5,172 market raids carried out during the first two months of 2026.
Acting Director General Samantha Karunaratne stated that 359 offences were related to rice, including hoarding of stocks and selling above the controlled price.
Around 450 officers have been deployed to conduct islandwide inspections as part of ongoing efforts to regulate market practices.
The CAA noted that prices of essential commodities are under continuous monitoring to prevent exploitation of consumers.
Members of the public have been urged to report unfair trade practices or irregularities via the hotline 1977.
