The Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court has penalized a railway catering service for selling bottled water at inflated prices, marking another violation by the same establishment.
A train canteen operating on the Kankesanthurai–Colombo railway route has been ordered to pay Rs. 500,000 after being found guilty of selling bottled water at prices exceeding government-set limits. The Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court delivered the ruling following an investigation by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).
During a raid conducted on July 9, 2026, CAA officers discovered that one-liter bottles of drinking water marked at Rs. 120 were being sold for Rs. 150 within the train canteen. The court found that this practice violated Direction No. 96 under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, which establishes maximum retail pricing regulations.
The CAA has formally communicated the incident to the Sri Lanka Railways Department and noted that this establishment has a history of similar violations. Officials have warned the operator to strictly adhere to consumer protection legislation going forward. The Authority stated that while it prioritizes educating traders about compliance requirements, it remains committed to pursuing legal remedies against persistent offenders.
The CAA encourages members of the public to report instances of overpricing by calling the consumer hotline 1977.
