The Sri Lanka Standardized Water Bottle Association has called for the implementation of a price control on bottled water, citing the excessive profits currently earned by shopkeepers.
The association has proposed new pricing, suggesting that the 500 ml bottle, currently priced at Rs. 100, be reduced to Rs. 70; the 1-liter bottle, from Rs. 150 to Rs. 100; the 1.5-liter bottle, from Rs. 180 to Rs. 130; and the 5-liter bottle, from Rs. 450 to Rs. 300.
Tilak Munasinghe, president of the association, explained, “Currently, middlemen and retailers are making a 150 percent profit, none of which benefits the producer.” He made these remarks at a press conference held in Boralasgamuwa on the 2nd of this month.
Munasinghe further noted that while bottled water prices had risen in response to increases in raw material and service costs, these costs have since decreased. However, due to certain traders, the price of bottled water remains inflated. “This should not be the case. As an association, we have decided to inform the Consumer Affairs Authority and the public, advocating for price control on bottled water,” he said.
He also mentioned that although there are 365 registered water bottle manufacturers in Sri Lanka, only 165 are currently operational. “As the country moves in a positive direction, we believe it’s time to offer relief on the price of drinking water. We urge the Consumer Affairs Authority to enforce this price proposal.”
