The Consumer Affairs Authority has successfully prosecuted a Weliweriya shop and Makola distributor for selling helmets lacking mandatory safety certification, resulting in fines and destruction of the non-compliant products.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has taken enforcement action against two traders in the Gampaha District for distributing protective helmets without the required SLS 517 safety certification mark. During an investigation on July 28, 2026, CAA officers seized 42 non-compliant helmets from the retailers during an inspection.

Both the shop operator in Weliweriya and the distributor based in Makola faced proceedings in the Mahara Magistrate's Court. The defendants entered guilty pleas to charges of violating regulations under Directive No. 59 of the CAA Act. The court ordered each party to pay fines of Rs. 5,000, bringing the combined penalty to Rs. 10,000. Additionally, the magistrate directed the immediate destruction of all seized helmets to prevent their entry into the market.

The CAA has emphasized the importance of consumer awareness regarding safety standards for protective equipment. The authority has called on members of the public to report any traders offering helmets without proper SLS certification to the hotline 1977, indicating an ongoing commitment to monitoring compliance within the helmet retail sector.