No more paying for shopping bags at supermarkets & shops: Chief Justice
2008-10-14 11:48:08

Supreme Court on Monday ordered that shops and supper markets will not be able to charge for the shopping bags in future. The order will be effective after one week.

A three judge bench comprising Chief Justice Sarath N Silva gave the order after considering a petition filed by Liyanage Ariyapala, a resident from the south.

The Consumer Protection Authority has been told to look into the implementation of the order.

Supper markets and shops started charging customers for the bags after the Environmental Ministry ordered to stop issuing bags. Instead of halting the issuing of the bags, they started charging the customers.

Sales persons at supper markets said that though initially customers started bringing their own bags or reusing bags, gradually they were giving up the habit and therefore forced to pay for new bags.