The Ministry of Science and Technology has introduced the "V-Pramithi" national programme to monitor and ensure the safety and quality of consumer goods in Sri Lankan markets, with initial inspections and sample testing beginning at Pettah Public Market.

The Ministry of Science and Technology unveiled the "V-Pramithi" national programme on Wednesday to strengthen oversight of consumer goods quality and safety across Sri Lanka. Launched at Pettah Public Market as part of the broader "Clean Sri Lanka" initiative and National Integrity Week, the programme represents a coordinated effort to protect consumers from substandard and unsafe products.

During the programme's initial phase, officials conducted inspections and collected samples of various consumer items from market retailers, including street food, coconut oil, toys, jaggery, treacle, cosmetics, spices and electrical appliances. These samples will undergo laboratory testing to assess their standards, composition and safety levels, with particular attention to harmful substances such as toxins and heavy metals.

According to Science and Technology Minister Professor Chrishantha Abeysena, the initiative aims to conduct comprehensive assessments of everyday goods while offering technical guidance to manufacturers and traders on maintaining quality standards. The programme seeks to raise public awareness about purchasing safe products while preventing unsafe goods from entering the market.

The initiative involves technical support from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Industrial Technology Institute and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, alongside cooperation from the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs Authority and Sri Lanka Police. Officials indicated that the monitoring programme will continue beyond the initial market inspection phase as part of ongoing consumer protection efforts.