Sri Lanka, May 12 -- A well-known rest house in Ratnapura and three rice-selling shops have been fined by the Ratnapura Magistrate's Court for selling essential items above the approved prices.

The famous rest house in Ratnapura was ordered to pay a hefty fine of Rs. 500,000 after it was found guilty of selling locally produced bottled drinking water above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) printed on the packaging during a raid carried out yesterday (11).

Meanwhile, three shops in Kuruwita, Parakaduwa and Ratnapura were also prosecuted for selling local Keeri Samba and imported Keeri Ponni rice above the government-controlled price.

The traders pleaded guilty before court and were each fined Rs. 100,000.

Authorities urged consumers to al...