The Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court has imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on a company that sold bottled drinking water above the maximum retail price (MRP) at the restaurant carriage of a train travelling from Kankesanthurai to Colombo.
The ruling was delivered after hearing a case filed by investigation officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) in Anuradhapura.
During a special inspection carried out on July 9, 2026, CAA officers found that a 1,000ml bottle of drinking water with a maximum retail price of Rs. 120 was being sold to passengers for Rs. 150.
The company, based in Colombo Fort, was prosecuted for violating Direction No. 96 issued under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act.
The CAA stated that it has also informed the Sri Lanka Railways Department about the overpricing of goods in train restaurant cars and warned that strict legal action will continue against traders who violate consumer protection laws. The public has been urged to report such incidents via the 1977 consumer hotline.
