Kandy trader fined, 28 gas cylinders confiscated after claiming stocks were unavailable

A trader in Kandy has been fined by the Kandy Magistrate’s Court for refusing to sell Litro Gas cylinders despite having stocks available, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.

The court also ordered the confiscation of 28 Litro Gas cylinders, each weighing 12.5 kg, discovered during a raid conducted by CAA officers.

The trader operated D.D. Gurusinghe Trading, an authorised Litro Gas outlet on Kotugodella Street in Kandy.

According to the CAA, the raid was carried out on October 29 following complaints from consumers that the outlet was refusing to sell gas.

During the operation, a CAA investigation officer posing as a customer attempted to purchase a 12.5 kg gas cylinder. However, the trader claimed that no cylinders were available.

A subsequent inspection of the premises revealed 28 Litro Gas cylinders in stock.

The cylinders were seized, and legal action was initiated against the trader before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court.

Following court proceedings, the trader was fined, while all 28 seized cylinders were ordered to be forfeited to the State.

Under Section 16(a) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003, traders are prohibited from falsely claiming that goods are unavailable when they possess stocks intended for sale.

The CAA said inspections and raids would continue nationwide to prevent hoarding, misleading consumers and other unfair trading practices.

The public has been urged to report such incidents through the CAA hotline, 1977, during office hours. (Newswire)