Pakistani nationals arrested in Colombo consumer raid

Officials of CAA inspect contraband being prepared to be sold as cosmetics at New Moor Street, Colombo 12 on 1 April 

• ‘CAA immediately decided the stock was illegal’ – Rishad
• Creams, soaps of unknown origin being packed when the raid took place
• ‘Will continue raids ahead of the Avurudu season’ – CAA Chairman Senaweera

Three Pakistani nationals have been arrested in a suspected cosmetic contraband raid by the Consumer Affairs Authority of Sri Lanka (CAA) on the afternoon of 1 April.

“The three suspects were arrested while they were handling an uncertified, unknown type of ‘cream’ to be sold in the market as ‘skin care cream’. They were packing the ‘cream’ to small tubs when our officials raided them,” said Minister of Industry, Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Cooperative Development, Skills Development and Vocational Training Rishad Bathiudeen, under whom CAA falls, on 2 April during his discussion with his top officials. 

“I am told that the cream they were packing did not say what the ‘cream’ was, had no labels, had no indication of where it was manufactured, no listing of contents within the cream and no documentary proofs. CAA immediately decided that the stock was illegal,” added Minister Bathiudeen.

The illegal ‘packing operation’ was taking place at Moor Street, Colombo 12 on 1 April run by the three Pakistani suspects when the CAA officials caught them red-handed. The suspects were packing a ‘skin care’ cream along with 3,500 product labels while parcels of empty tubs were kept close-by. CAA officials and its Chairman Lalith Senaweera suspect that the contraband was being packed to be sent to the market ahead of the forthcoming Avurudu/New Year seasonal promotions. 

“The raid took place on the direction of Minister Bathiudeen,” said Chairman Senaweera, and added: “We have sealed all the contraband to be forwarded to the Courts. The suspects will be produced to the Fort Magistrate Court on 4 April. We believe the value of this stock to be around Rs. 2 million. Minister Bathiudeen advised CAA to increase raids and do them continuously ahead of the forthcoming new-year season.” 

CAA also took into custody 7,500 skin whitening soaps, 15 litres of skin cream, 250 cakes of soap labelled ‘Golden’, and 3,000 nail polish packs; all of which were not certified/tested dermatologically – they had no labels, no indication of where they originate, nor listing of any product contents.

Sri Lanka has more than 1,200 skincare products in its domestic market while 25% of the population is believed to use skincare creams (70% use hair care products). More than 110 cosmetics importers are registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority.