News
Court orders destruction of illegal float valve stock
Mahara Magistrate’s court has ordered the destruction of a stock of illegal float valve stock, apprehended in Kadawatha, after finding that the products were sold without mandatory labeling and certification, the Consumer Affairs Authority said.
The court ordered that the seized valves, valued at approximately Rs. 500,000, be destroyed after determining they violated labelling regulations under consumer protection laws.
The Consumer Affairs Authority had taken legal action against two business establishments, in the Eldeniya area of Kadawatha, for selling float operated valves without displaying the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLS) registration number, a requirement for such products.
In one case, a hardware store pleaded guilty to selling and displaying float valves without the required SLS registration number. The court imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000 for the offence.
In a separate case, a company was accused of misleading consumers by using the official logo of the Industrial Technology Institute without authorisation. The court released the accused company on personal bail of Rs. 100,000 and fixed the case for further hearing.
As part of its ruling, the court ordered the destruction of the seized valve stock, citing violations of labelling regulations and consumer protection standards.
The Consumer Affairs Authority warned consumers to avoid purchasing plumbing fittings and other hardware items that do not carry proper labels or certification details, noting that substandard products can lead to water leaks, higher water bills and the wastage of treated drinking water.
Authorities said the wastage of purified water, which is produced at significant cost, poses a broader economic and environmental concern for the country.
The CAA said it will continue enforcement action against businesses that sell uncertified or misleading products and urged traders to comply with national standards and consumer protection laws.
A group of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) members, including its Leader Mano Ganesan, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday (02) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Extensive discussions were held on the issues faced by the Malayagam communities, particularly in relation to education, housing and land, as well as on the urgent measures required to address these concerns. The President paid special attention to all these matters.
Attention was also drawn to the recruitment of qualified Tamil-medium teachers to address the teacher shortage in estate sector schools and this too was discussed at length.
Members of Parliament P. Digambaram and V. Radhakrishnan, along with several other party members, were present at the meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko at the Foreign Ministry, in Colombo, on Thursday (02), with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visiting Russian Deputy Minister noted that Russia regarded Sri Lanka as a long-standing friend.
Rudenko assured that Russia stood ready to support Sri Lanka when required, including in the swift supply of Russian oil to help address the current energy challenges, encouraging Russian investors to explore new opportunities in the country and promoting increased tourist arrivals.
He also expressed Russia’s readiness to provide compensation for Sri Lankan war veterans who had lost their lives in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Minister Herath welcomed Russia’s willingness to assist, emphasising that Sri Lanka valued the support extended by its “old friend”, particularly at a time when the country was facing pressing energy needs.
He noted that the two countries shared nearly seven decades of diplomatic relations and said the present moment provided an opportunity to further strengthen ties, including through long-term trade agreements.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, investment, tourism and diplomacy, with both sides reiterating their commitment to further deepen the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Russia.
Police yesterday arrested 157 foreign nationals in connection with an alleged organised online financial scam, conducted from a hotel in the Iranawila area in Chilaw.
The suspects were taken into custody during a raid carried out by the Police while they were staying at the hotel in Iranawila.
Police said the arrested group included 143 nationals from China, 13 from Bangladesh and one from Vietnam.
Investigators suspect the group had been involved in a coordinated online financial scam, targeting victims through digital platforms.
The suspects are being detained for further questioning while investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the operation and whether additional individuals were involved.Police said further inquiries are underway.
By Norman Palihawadane
World Cup 2026: Italy’s football chief resigns after qualifying failure
Iran says it downed two US jets as search for one pilot continues
Showers above75 mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, North-central and Eastern provinces after 1.00 p.m.
Artemis II crew take ‘spectacular’ image of Earth
White House to ask Congress for record-breaking $1.5 trillion defence budget
Members of the TPA meet with President Dissanayake
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News4 days agoTariff shock from 01 April as power costs climb across the board
-
News2 days ago2025 GCE AL: 62% qualify for Uni entrance; results of 111 suspended
-
News5 days agoInquiry into female employee’s complaint: Retired HC Judge’s recommendations ignored
-
Features6 days agoWhen seabed goes dark: The Persian Gulf, cable sabotage, and race for space-based monopoly
-
Features5 days agoNew arithmetic of conflict: How the drone revolution is inverting economics of war
-
Business3 days agoHour of reckoning comes for SL’s power sector
-
Editorial2 days agoSearch for Easter Sunday terror mastermind
-
Sports5 days agoSri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup heroes to play exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur