Sri Lanka's Consumer Affairs Authority conducted 108 raids across the country on August 18 and 19, flagging 84 businesses for failing to provide documentation on imported cosmetics and footwear.
The Consumer Affairs Authority carried out a two-day enforcement operation targeting the import and retail of cosmetics and footwear, removing goods valued at approximately Rs. 1.5 million from circulation. The raids, conducted on August 18 and 19, identified numerous retail outlets and distribution points unable to substantiate the origin of their merchandise through proper documentation.
According to the CAA, inspectors discovered that 84 of the 108 premises visited lacked essential records such as receipts, bills or invoices to establish legitimate supply chains. The operations focused on imported items including skin-lightening creams, facial and body cosmetics, perfumes, hair-care products, and various types of footwear. In cases where documentation was absent, the authority stated that suppliers could not be identified or the pathway through which products entered the retail market remained unclear.
The seized goods have been placed under CAA custody while legal proceedings are being initiated against the implicated traders. The authority has also ordered further investigations to identify suppliers, distributors and other parties involved in the movement of goods lacking clear documentation trails. The crackdown aligns with CAA Direction No. 83, which mandates that all parties involved in the supply chain—including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and retailers—maintain records demonstrating how goods in their possession were obtained.
The authority indicated this enforcement measure aims to ensure product traceability, safeguard consumers and create fair market conditions for legitimate businesses. This operation represents part of a broader initiative, with the CAA reporting approximately 785 raids related to creams and liquid products conducted throughout 2026. The authority stated that similar enforcement operations will continue across the island.
