Srilanka, March 19 -- The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has confiscated a stock of Keeri Samba rice worth over Rs. 3.8 million following a legal case against two shop officials in Colombo 12.

On February 11, the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court (No. 5) fined shop owner Abdul Jabbar Mohamed Siyas and manager Kuruppan Murugayya Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 20,000, respectively, after they pleaded guilty to hoarding rice. The case was filed after a raid conducted by the CAA revealed that the shop falsely claimed to be out of Kiri Samba rice, despite hiding 3,000 five-kilogram packs on the premises.

Under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, when a retailer is found guilty of falsely declaring goods unavailable, the court has the authority to conf...