A Colombo court has ordered the destruction of 1,000 kg of illegally traded turmeric worth more than Rs. 2.5 million after a trader pleaded guilty to violating consumer protection laws.

The order was issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court after the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) filed a case against the owner of a business on Old Moor Street, Colombo 12.

According to the CAA, investigators seized 40 bags of turmeric weighing 25 kg each during a special raid. The stock, with an estimated market value exceeding Rs. 2.5 million, was allegedly being offered for sale without importer details or valid supplier invoices and purchase bills.

Following the trader’s guilty plea, the court imposed a fine and ordered the entire stock to be destroyed.

The CAA said the commercial importation of turmeric into Sri Lanka is currently prohibited, but some traders continue to smuggle and distribute the product illegally.

It warned that illegally imported turmeric often lacks proper documentation to identify its source or supply chain, making it impossible to guarantee its quality, safety or hygiene.

The Authority urged consumers to report traders selling illegally imported or substandard goods without proper labels, price markings or valid invoices by calling the 1977 hotline during office hours.