CAA withdraws gazette banning vendors from charging for ‘Sili Sili’ bags after Court ruling

The Attorney General’s Department notified the Supreme Court yesterday that the gazette notification issued by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), which prohibited vendors from charging money for polythene bags provided to customers when purchasing goods from shops, will be withdrawn.

The Court was informed of the decision by Deputy Solicitor General Avanti Perera during the hearing of a fundamental rights petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice challenging the relevant gazette notification. 

The petition was taken up before a three judge bench consisting of Justices S. Thurairaja, A.H.M.D Nawaz and Arjuna Obeyesekere. 

In the petition, the Centre for Environmental Justice highlighted the significant environmental damage caused by polythene bags provided by shops to consumers when purchasing goods. The petitioner organisation argued that charging a fee for these bags would discourage their use and subsequently reduce environmental damage.

During the hearing of the petition, Deputy Solicitor General Avanti Perera representing the CAA, informed the court that the current gazette notification prohibiting the charging of money for shopping bags provided when purchasing goods from stores will be withdrawn. It was noted that the petitioner party would be satisfied with this action and therefore the hearing of the petition was concluded.