The owner of a restaurant in Homagama has been fined Rs. 500,000 for selling a 500ml bottle of drinking water for Rs. 100, exceeding the maximum retail price set by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).
The CAA’s investigation officers had filed a case before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court against the private company in Galawilawatta, Homagama, for selling bottled drinking water above the stipulated maximum retail price.
During a raid, officials found that 500ml locally bottled drinking water, which had a maximum retail price of Rs. 70 under Order No. 93 of Gazette Extraordinary No. 2430/15 that was in force at the time, was being sold for Rs. 100.
When the case was taken up before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court on September 10, the defendant company pleaded guilty to the charge.
The court subsequently imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on the company.
The CAA noted that the raid had been conducted based on the maximum retail prices that were in effect in December 2025.
Meanwhile, under Order No. 96 published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2492/29 dated June 10, 2026, the current maximum retail prices for locally bottled drinking water (PET) are as follows:
- 500ml to 999ml – Rs. 80
- 1L to 1.499L – Rs. 120
- 1.5L to 1.999L – Rs. 150
- 2L to 2.499L – Rs. 180
- 5L to 6.999L – Rs. 400
The general public is also requested to inform the Consumer Affairs Authority via the 1977 hotline during office hours of any businesses found selling bottled water or other goods above the stipulated maximum retail prices.
