Matara Hotels and Jaffna Restaurant Fined Millions for Overcharging on Bottled Water

Two tourist hotels in Matara have been collectively fined Rs. 1 million by the Matara Magistrate's Court for selling bottled drinking water above the regulated maximum retail price. In a separate case, a restaurant in Jaffna was ordered to pay Rs. 950,000 in fines by the Jaffna Magistrate's Court for a similar violation. These penalties were imposed following investigations by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), which uncovered instances where water bottles were sold at prices significantly exceeding their stipulated maximums. For example, one 1-litre bottle with a maximum retail price of Rs. 120 was reportedly sold for Rs. 200.