The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has confiscated more than 5,000 packs of 5kg rice from traders accused of attempting to create an artificial shortage in the market by falsely claiming that stocks were unavailable.

The seized rice was auctioned off, generating revenue exceeding Rs. 6.3 million, which will be used to support consumer protection initiatives.

The operation was conducted in 2025 under Section 16 of the CAA Act, targeting racketeers responsible for misleading consumers and disrupting fair market practices.