Sri Lanka, Nov. 1 -- With effect from today (01), traders are required to charge consumers for plastic shopping bags with handles, commonly referred to as "sili-sili bags."

This directive follows an extraordinary gazette notification issued by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on October 1, 2025, pursuant to the powers conferred by Section 10(l)(b)(ii) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003.

According to the notification, no trader shall provide bags made of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) or Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) free of charge at the time of sale. The price of such bags must be clearly displayed at the place of business and indicated on the bill issued to the consumer.

The gazette notification defin...