A trader in Kandy has been fined by the Kandy Magistrate’s Court after refusing to sell gas cylinders to customers while secretly keeping a stock of cylinders for sale.

Court also ordered the confiscation of all 28 Litro 12.5kg gas cylinders discovered during a raid conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

The special raid was carried out by the CAA’s Kandy District Investigation Officers following complaints received from consumers.

During the operation, an investigation officer posing as a customer approached the trader and requested to purchase a 12.5kg Litro gas cylinder.

However, the trader refused to sell the cylinder, claiming that no gas cylinders were available.

Following the refusal, investigation officers inspected the premises and discovered 28 Litro 12.5kg gas cylinders hidden inside the shop.

Cylinders were taken into custody as case productions, and legal action was taken against the trader before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court.

After hearing the case, the court imposed a fine on the trader and ordered the confiscation of all 28 gas cylinders submitted as evidence.

Under Section 16(a) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003, it is an offence for a trader to inform consumers that goods are unavailable when such goods are actually in their possession, custody or control for the purpose of trade, the CAA noted.

The Consumer Affairs Authority stated that island-wide raids and investigations would continue to prevent unfair trading practices, including the concealment of essential goods, falsely claiming that products are unavailable, and actions that cause inconvenience to consumers.