Port City Beverage Outlet Fined Half-Million Rupees for Selling Water at Triple the Pric
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Port City Beverage Outlet Fined Half-Million Rupees for Selling Water at Triple the Price

August 21, 2025
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Port City Beverage Outlet Fined Half-Million Rupees for Selling Water at Triple the Price—CAA Steps Up Enforcement

Colombo, 20 August 2025 — In a decisive move to protect consumer rights, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court imposed a Rs. 500,000 fine today on a private company located at Beach Plaza in Port City. Authorities confirmed the outlet admitted to selling a 500-ml bottle of drinking water, priced with an MRP of Rs. 70, at a stunning Rs. 200—clearly flouting Sri Lanka’s Maximum Retail Price regulations.

Breaking the Rules: What Went Wrong

Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) published MRPs for bottled water on 23 April 2025. The regulation mandates these maximum prices apply to all bottles, regardless of printing date or packaging updates:

  • Rs. 70 for 500 ml

  • Rs. 100 for 1 L

  • Rs. 130 for 1.5 L

  • Rs. 160 for 2 L

  • Rs. 350 for 5 L

Yet, during a CAA inspection on 16 July 2025, officials found water priced at nearly three times the permitted cost. Today, the court held the company accountable, reinforcing that laws apply just as strongly to high-profile locations like Port City as elsewhere.

Enforcement Trend: Not a One-Off

This verdict follows a string of enforcement actions:

  1. May 2025: A leading Colombo supermarket was fined Rs. 2 million for selling 1 L water above MRP.

  2. 26 June 2025: C.I.B. Big City in Maharagama was fined Rs. 1 million after selling 500 ml water at Rs. 90 instead of Rs. 70

  3. 27 June 2025: Another Maharagama business faced a Rs. 1 million penalty over inflated water prices

  4. 5 June 2025: A small supermarket in Kalawana incurred a Rs. 500,000 fine for overcharging by merely Rs. 10.

These cases illustrate the CAA’s persistent and expanding crackdown on violations, across both big chains and small outlets, urban and regional.

Why This Matters

  • Consumer Protection: Water is a basic necessity. Charging triple the legal price exploits people, especially those with limited options. Vigilance from authorities like the CAA ensures fairness.

  • Rule Enforcement Across All Sectors: Whether a seaside outlet or mainstream supermarket, no business is exempt. Admitting guilt, as this company did, fast-tracked justice and signaled that noncompliance has serious consequences.

  • Public Participation Makes a Difference: Awareness and reporting help reinforce laws. The CAA continues urging consumers to stay alert and report price violations.

Voices from Observers

Although no direct quotes are yet published, community sentiment reflects frustration over such practices. On Reddit’s r/srilanka, someone shared:

“Recently a supermarket was fined Rs. 500,000 for overcharging Rs. 10 on Bottled Water.

This highlights that consumers are not only aware, but also vocal about price gouging—even minor excesses.

What Can You Do?

  • Always check MRP labels before purchasing bottled water.

  • If you notice a violation, report it promptly to the CAA.

  • For businesses: Update labels, train staff, and follow CAA guidelines meticulously to avoid fines and reputational risk.

Consumers benefit from lower prices and fairness, while businesses earn trust through compliant practices.