Cabinet nod to give more teeth to CAA

The Cabinet nod has been received to include further revisions in the draft bill to amend Consumer Affairs Authority Act No.09 of 2003, to meet the present requirements by giving more teeth to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to include further provisions in the draft bill to meet the present requirements and to take the necessary steps through the Legal Draftsman to include these identified regulations and to proceed the preparation of the bill accordingly.

The previous Yahapalana government started the process of amending the Consumer Affairs Authority Act in late 2018, after securing the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers. 

Several legal provisions expected to be included in the draft bill currently under preparation are aimed at increasing fines and jail terms against errant traders to reflect the present-day requirements to protect consumers.