Just two weeks are left to embrace the festive spirit. This is also the time when certain words take centrestage in people’s lives. Regulating, raiding, vigilance and mindfulness are among them. These terms carry some weight during this season, which could be the prime time for various rackets to flourish.
Recent media reports have spotlighted the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) conducting raids and uncovering food items unfit for human consumption. This revelation is wake-up call that reminds the festive season, while joyous, is also a time when unscrupulous traders seek to exploit unsuspecting consumers. As shopping for festive essentials begins in earnest, the CAA’s efforts are commendable. However, ensuring the quality and safety of what we buy is a shared responsibility. It rests on the shoulders of both vigilant consumers and proactive officials.
The CAA has outlined several rights available to consumers. Many Sri Lankans remain unaware of these safeguards. This lack of awareness leads to silence when rights are trampled. As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed it’s high time consumers take charge of protecting themselves. Knowing your rights is not just empowering. Is it essential.
Ignorance among consumers creates fertile ground for racketeers to thrive.
According to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), every consumer is entitled to a set of rights that safeguard their well-being and empower them in the marketplace. These include the right to the satisfaction of basic needs, ensuring access to essentials such as food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education, utilities, water, and sanitation. Consumers also have the right to safety, which protects them from products, processes, or services that could harm their health or life.
Equally vital is the right to be informed, enabling consumers to access accurate information for making informed choices and protecting themselves against deceptive advertising and labeling. The right to choose ensures access to a variety of products and services at competitive prices with satisfactory quality. Additionally, consumers have the right to be heard, allowing their interests to influence government policies and the development of products and services.
Perhaps the most impactful right is the right to redress, which guarantees fair compensation for grievances such as misrepresentation, substandard goods, or unsatisfactory services. Complementing this is the right to consumer education, empowering individuals with the knowledge to make confident, informed choices while understanding their rights and responsibilities. Finally, the right to a healthy environment ensures that current and future generations can live and work in conditions that do not threaten their well-being.
Should a consumer encounter substandard or misrepresented goods, they can seek redress by dialing the CAA hotline: 1977.
A consumer who pays attention cannot easily be misled or cheated by traders. Government authorities such as the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) conduct raids and enforce regulations, but the ultimate responsibility of ensuring fair transactions rests with the consumer.
Every consumer has the ability to protect themselves by using their natural senses—sight, hearing, smell, and touch—to inspect goods before purchase. Checking items thoroughly, from groceries to electronics, can prevent unnecessary losses or disappointments. This doesn’t require any institutional support; simple acts like checking expiry dates on medications, milk powder, or packaged goods can make all the difference. Sri Lankans tend to neglect such basic precautions.
For instance, shoppers often check coconuts but overlook inspecting fish or other perishable items. Similarly, middle-aged or elderly men, as well as young women, sometimes rush through purchases without a thorough inspection. The focus may be limited to surface aspects like size or appearance, which often leads to regret when faults are discovered only after use.
In comparison, foreign consumers are known for their vigilance and mindfulness, making it harder for traders to deceive them. Even tourists, despite potential language barriers, manage to make informed purchases because of their proactive approach. This level of attentiveness is a habit that Sri Lankan consumers must cultivate to avoid being taken advantage of, especially during the high-pressure festive season.
Remember, a vigilant consumer is an empowered consumer—one who ensures that their hard-earned money is spent on goods and services of genuine value. Governments can provide frameworks and oversight, but the onus of day-to-day vigilance lies squarely with the consumer.
A watchful eye can also safeguard consumers from more than just unfair transactions. It can save them from falling prey to pickpockets and scams, which tend to spike during the holiday rush. Simple acts like carefully inspecting goods before purchase, verifying receipts, and being alert in crowded spaces can go a long way in preventing such incidents.
Let this season of giving also be a season of responsible consumption.
