News
CAA raids supermarket and an online delivery service provider in Colombo

Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officers raided a leading supermarket in Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4, which was charging an additional Rs. 200 ‘delivery charge’ from walk-in customers making over-the-counter purchases.
Acting on a public complaint, a CAA officer posing as a customer had purchased some foodstuffs and the cashier had billed him an additional Rs. 200 for ‘delivery’ on Thursday. After he was given the receipt, he had identified himself and the other CAA officers who were outside had moved in to raid the premises and conduct an investigation.
It was found that scores of customers had been charged the ‘delivery fee’ meant for online orders despite the purchases being made and cash paid to the cashier physically.
Supermarkets are authorized to cater to online orders in terms of Covid-19 guidelines but many of them allow customers to make purchases on the basis of a limited number at a time.
“We will be filing legal action against the supermarket concerned as it is a violation of consumer protection laws to apply conditions on sales”, says Thushan Gunawardena, CAA’s Executive Director.
Based on another public complaint that foodstuffs were being sold at inflated prices, the CAA raided the stores of an online delivery service provider in Colombo 15 on Wednesday and found labels altered, pricing changed and conditions attached to sales.
Gunawardena said legal action will be instituted against the merchant for selling goods above marked prices, applying conditions for sale and erasing marked prices/descriptions.
(Suresh Perera)
News
At least 17 killed after explosion in Peshawar mosque

BBC reported that at least 17 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The blast happened when the mosque was packed with worshippers and more than 90 people were injured.
A section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. Several others are being taken to local hospitals.
The cause of the explosion is unclear.
News
More heavy rain ahead for New Zealand’s largest city

BBC reported that residents in flood-hit northern New Zealand are bracing for more heavy rains as officials issued severe weather alerts.
At least four people have died and a state of emergency was declared in Auckland, which on Friday experienced its worst downpour on record.
News
Information Dept. media release: EC Chief asks public not to be misled

by Priyan de Silva
Chairman of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, Nimal Punchihewa, asked to comment on a special news release, purportedly issued by the Director General of the Department of Government Information, on Sunday (29), told The Island that preparations for the 09 March local government elections were going ahead, as planned, and that the media statement at issue was misleading.
The media statement says: “The gazette notice with signatures of the Chairman and other members of the Election Commission required for the commencement of the Local Government election process has not been sent to the Government Press for printing.”
Punchihewa requested the public not to be misled by any misinformation being spread in an attempt to create doubts in their minds.He also reiterated that the EC would not be deterred by any acts of intimidation.
Three of the EC members have been threatened with death by an unidentified caller to resign from their posts. They are S. B. Divaratne, M. M. Mohamed and K. P. P. Pathirana. The Opposition has accused the government of trying to sabotage the LG polls.
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