Apr 05, Colombo: The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) requests the public to call 1977 hotline and inform of mobile traders who sell dry food items at higher prices.

The Gampaha District Investigation Unit of the Consumer Affairs Authority has taken measures to investigate the sale of dry food items by trades from mobile vehicles at higher prices.

The head of the Gampaha District Consumer Affairs Authority Pradeep Kaluarachchi said steps have been taken to conduct inspections in response to complaints received by the CAA from consumers that due to the curfew enforced in the country, certain vendors in mobile vehicles visit the public at homes and sell dry goods at much higher prices.

The Investigation Unit carried out inspections in the Gampaha, Attanagalla, Nittambuwa and Pasyala areas today (5) taking steps to advise traders against selling items at higher prices and in future, legal action will be taken against the errant traders who will continue to sell at higher prices, the official said.

The head of the investigation Pradeep Kaluarachchi stated that the customers had lodged complaints that while the controlled price of a kilo of dhal is fixed at Rs. 65, a can of fish (425 grams) at Rs. 100 and a kilo of B opinions at Rs. 150, some traders sell at higher prices such as a kilo of dhal at Rs. 240, and a kilo of B onions at Rs. 200.

He also requested the public to notify the 1977 hotline with the vehicle registration number of the relevant mobile trader.