Sri Lanka's consumer authority to take legal action against traders not displaying prices in ads

Sri Lanka's Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) is to monitor advertisements on the print, electronic, and online media to ensure that product advertisements carry the prices of the products.

The Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando has told the media that the CAA would take legal action against any one who fails to announce the price of the product being advertised from February 1.

Fernando has said that all consumer goods, including vegetables, fruits, vehicles, and real estate need to have their price tags displayed in their advertisements.

The Minister has said that the CAA had the mandate to take action against advertisers who do not adhere to this order whether it is in the newspapers, TV, radio or online.

It has been reported that offenders could be fined between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 10,000 if found guilty while a company found guilty would be called upon to pay a fine of between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 100,000.