• No complaints received as of yesterday to act on: CAA Chair

Concerns about brown sugar manufactured at four local factories remain unaddressed as the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) is constrained in acting without any formal complaints, it is learnt.

Last week, the media reported that the Government had deployed authorities to investigate whether a mafia is involved in the issue, as difficulties have been reported in selling brown sugar manufactured at the four local factories.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (10), CAA Chairperson Hemantha Samarakoon said that the CAA has little to do with the matter as it has very limited scope to get involved.

“Actually, we cannot do anything about this brown sugar issue. We can only act if there is any complaint regarding the matter. It is said that certain parties import brown sugar and that this has caused the issue. Yet, we have not received any such information,” he said.

When asked whether any complaint had been received by the CAA regarding illegal stocks of brown sugar, he said that no such complaint had been received so far. “If we get accurate details and complaints, we can act accordingly. Otherwise, we have very limited scope to intervene in the matter,” he said.

According to media reports, only 11% of the total sugar requirement is manufactured locally at the factories in Pelwatte, Sewanagala, Ethimale, and Galoya. Deputy Minister of Trade R.M. Jayawardhana recently told the media that only 20% of consumers use brown sugar manufactured entirely in the country.