Two supermarket branches in Bandaragama and Matugama have been fined a combined Rs. 400,000 in separate cases brought over egg pricing, altered price labels and expired stock, the Daily Mirror reported on Wednesday.
Both cases were filed by officers of the Kalutara District Office of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court. The defendant company pleaded guilty in each.
The Bandaragama case
Officials inspecting a branch on Panadura Road, Bandaragama on August 31 found a pack of 10 eggs carrying a Maximum Retail Price of Rs. 590 being sold for Rs. 615 — Rs. 25 above the controlled price. Expired soft drinks were also found on the shelves.
The case was taken up on September 3, and the company was fined Rs. 200,000.
The Matugama case
A separate inspection at a Matugama branch on August 21 found five 100g packs of sweet potato chips offered for sale after their original marked prices had been removed and altered.
That case was filed for violating Direction No. 85 and Section 10(4) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act and taken up on September 14, drawing a further Rs. 200,000 fine.
Neither the Daily Mirror nor any other verified newsroom that has reported the matter names the supermarket chain involved, and the Authority has not identified it publicly.
Context
The fines were imposed on September 3 and September 14 and disclosed by the Authority this week. They extend a sustained enforcement run: the CAA reported more than 1,000 raids on electrical and electronic goods this year and has brought a steady stream of pricing and labelling prosecutions in recent weeks.
The Authority urged shoppers to compare a product’s marked price against the price charged on the bill, to be alert to prices that have been erased, altered or covered over, and to check expiry dates on food and beverages. Irregularities can be reported to the CAA hotline on 1977 during office hours.
