Answer - 1

The consumer Affairs Authority was established by the Consumer

Affairs Authority

Act No. 9 of 2003.

Answer - 2

Aggrieved Consumers and Traders.

Answer - 4

·         Handling of consumer complaints by Aggrieved Consumers.

·         Handling of complaints by traders on anti- competitive practices and unfair trade practices.

·         Conducting market investigations and market surveys.

·         Specifying goods and services which are essential to the life of the community and regulating the prices of the goods and services.

·         Consumer awareness and empowerment  mainly by establishing consumer Organizations

·         Issuing of directives to traders and manufactures on labeling, packeting, price marking etc.

·         Obtaining the required redress for the aggrieved and punishment of offenders through the judicial system.

·         Warning of any trader or manufacturer in the case of first contravention of the provisions of CAA Act.

Answer - 5

A written complaint along with supportive documents which relates to the sale of goods or to the provision of service shall be sent to the authority within 3 months. An inquiry is held in to the complaint .After an inquiry the Authority shall order the trader or the manufacturer to pay compensation to the aggrieved party or to replace such goods or to refund the amount paid for such goods or the provision of services.

Answer - 6

Sections 10,11,15,16,17,18,26,28,29,30,31 and 61.

Answer - 7

·         CAA has quasi judicial  powers in respect of inquiries vide sections 13 &  32

·         Powers to enter into written agreements with the manufacturer’s or traders on areas specified in the Act.

·         To specify goods and services which are essential to the life of the community and regulation of the prices thereof

·         To determine standards and specifications relating to goods and supply of services (standards and specifications prescribed by the Sri-Lanka Standards Institution could also be adopted )

·         The Authority has power to call for any information from traders.

·         The Authority has power to sell perishable goods that are seized and detained under section 58 of the CAA Act.

·         Offences under the act deemed to be cognizable offences, ie, power to search, take in to custody without a search warrant from the police.

·         Certain offencers have been categorized as peace officers who could act in terms of the code of criminal procedures Act No. 15 of 1979.

Answer - 8

Complaint must be made in writing .It must be forwarded with the specified time       by the Act. It should be supported to relevant documents

Answer - 9

No. Cost is solely borne by the Authority.

Answer - 10

No. Any individual can lodge a complaint

Answer - 11

No. We have a district office network where any complaint could be

made to  such offices as well.

Answer - 12

Yes. Even if there are regulatory bodies established for specific

purposes consumers can make complaints to the Authority as well

where CAA plays the role of a monitoring body.

Answer - 13

Complaints should be addressed to Director General of the

Authority.

     Address,                 Consumer Affaires Authority
                            CWE Secretariat Building 
                            27,Vauxhall Street,                           
                            Colombo 02

     Chairman                 Tel:  011-2393496/239914
Director General        Tel: 011-2302981
General Tel.                    011-2445897
                                    2393577/2393495

                                   Fax: 011-2399148

                             Email:  chairmancaa@sltnet.lk
                                       dgcaa@sltnet.lk

Answer - 14

No. There is no price control of any commodity, the last

beingPharmaceutical Drugs which were only subject to a pricing

formula under the former Fair Trading Commission. This “Control” was

totally discontinued on 1 ^st November 2002

Answer - 15

Yes. There is price Supervision and intervention on price increases of

certain specified essential commodities .This is basically implemented

through section 18 of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act. No 9

of 2003, which became operative from 17 ^th   March 2003.

Answer - 16

The Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Answer - 19

By a letter signed by the CEO or other officer authorized by the

company to do so, giving a description of the item, brand name, pack

size,present price, proposed price and reasons for the price increase.

The application should be addressed to the Director General of the

Authority:

Answer - 20

                Yes.
     

 (i). Comprehensive Cost Structure, giving a breakdown of

      costs of individual elements of cost, for the prevailing

      price and the proposed price.

         (ii). Supporting documents, eg., Copies of Invoice, Letter of

              Credit,Bill of Lading, Packing List, Customs certified Customs

              Declaration Form (CUSDEC), Bank bills, invoices and receipts

              for landing , delivery and transport expenses, up to 1^st

              go-downs

        (iii). Invoices for packing and processing expenses

        (iv). Description of all direct expenses, including labor and

              material

        (v).  Analysis of indirect and overhead expenses, and basis of

               allocation, apportionment and recovery of overheads.

        (vi)  Company profit margins, and basis

       (vii)  Distributor / Dealer and retailer margin

       (viii)   Charge for taxes|

        (ix)   Copy of the latest  audited Final accounts with notes and

              schedules thereon for the present period and for the period

              applicable for determining the current price.

A “SPECIMEN COST SHEET” is available on request. This can be

suitably modified by the applicant to suit the peculiarities of the

product or the industry

Answer - 21

The applicant will be duly requested to furnish the information, on or

 before a specified date, and applicant will also be informed by an

 inclusion of the following condition in the letter:

                     “Please note that your application for approval of the proposed price increase will be considered having being received by this Authority only on the submission of the above information and the receipt of any other documents or clarifications we may require in due course while examining the information supplied, or referring to other matters relevant to the subject.”

Answer - 22

An Interim Order” under Section 18(4) of the Act will be

issued to the applicant prohibiting the applicant from

increasing the price, until a decision is made by the

Authority.

Answer - 23

Indefinite – until the information is furnished and decision
communicated

Answer - 24

Thirty days from the date the Authority having received a duly
completed application together with all supporting information / clarifications / documents.

Answer - 26

Director, Pricing & Management.

Telephone: 94-11-2391618 or

Senior Executive / Pricing.

Tel: 94-11-2432253