Traders can face up to Rs. 500,000 in fines & 6 months in prison for selling rice at high prices

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Consumer Affairs Authority said a trader who sells rice above the government controlled price, could face fines between Rs. 100,000/- to Rs. 500,000/-.

CAA Director of Consumer Affairs and Information, Asela Bandara, said such traders could also face up to six months in prison, when produced before a Magistrate's Court.

He said around 70 raids have been carried out to nab traders who sell Rice at higher prices, while close to 150 raids were carried out over the failure to display prices.

A special gazette notification was issued on the 10th of June declaring the Maximum Retail Price of White and Red Raw Rice at Rs. 210, per kilogram.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said it had seized a consignment of Rice hidden in Moneragala and Anuradhapura yesterday.