Approximately 4,000 food handling establishments have been inspected across Sri Lanka over the past 13 days as part of an islandwide food safety drive ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
Public Health Inspectors’ Association Secretary Chamil Muthukuda, speaking to NewsFirst, warned that consumers must remain vigilant during the festive period. “Unscrupulous traders often attempt to sell food items unfit for human consumption” during the holiday season, he said.
The enforcement push complements the Consumer Affairs Authority’s ongoing market raids on overpriced goods. CAA officers have been conducting targeted operations across multiple districts, including seizures of overpriced rice in Dambulla, rice hoarding in Kegalle, and counterfeit Ayurvedic products in Matale.
The Health Ministry has also issued safety guidelines for traditional Avurudu games and warned the public about firework-related injuries.
With the Avurudu kevili table cost rising 7% this year, food affordability and quality remain top concerns for consumers celebrating the New Year.
