CAA launches island wide raids over wheat flour price hike

Daily Mirror and Newswire report that wheat flour companies raised prices by Rs. 13 per kilogram, effective immediately. Sri Lanka Mirror says company sources reported the rise. Tamilmirror’s headline indicates the change began the day before its report, but gives no other timing information.

Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa, Newswire and Ada Derana (தமிழ்) report that the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had not been notified or consulted before the price change. Newswire says CAA Chairman Hemantha Samarakoon told the outlet that the authority became aware of the increase through news coverage and had received no formal notice from flour producers.

Newswire reports that Samarakoon said the CAA contacted manufacturers by email to request their reasons for revising prices and information about the size of the increase. He also said, according to Newswire, that flour falls within a category governed by the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, under which manufacturers must first discuss price increases with the authority and reach agreement.

Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa, Newswire, Ada Derana (தமிழ்), Hiru News and Ada Derana report that the CAA started checks across the country in response. Newswire reports that Samarakoon warned traders selling flour at the higher prices could face legal action, and said the authority would decide what to do next after considering manufacturers’ answers.

Sri Lanka Mirror reports that the All Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association planned to add Rs. 5 to the prices of flour-based snacks, including egg roti and paratha, from midnight on Oct. 21. The outlet attributes the decision to the flour increase and says association president Harshana Rukshan described the effect on previously imported flour stocks as a difficulty for restaurant operators.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.