• Implementation of policies, plans in respect of Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Trade Development
• Overseas Trade
• Administration of the Mahapola Scholarship Programme conducting of Mahapola Trade Fairs.

What are the Institutions coming under the Ministry?   

• Department of Commerce
• Department of the Registrar of Companies
• Department of Measurement Units, Standards and Services
• Department of Import & Export Control
• Department of Food Commissioner
• National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka
• Consumer Affairs Authority
• STC General Trading Co. Ltd
• Co-operative Wholesale Establishment
• Lanka Salusala Ltd
• STC Medical Ltd
• Mahapola Higher Education Scholarships Trust Fund
• Sri Lanka Automated Cargo Clearance System (SLACCS)

To the Chairman of Consumer Affairs Authority

Department of Commerce.

• This Department is the central state agency under the Ministry charged with the function of conduct, development and promotion of Sri Lanka' s foreign trade relations at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. The thrust of its core functions have been set out as follows in the mission statement
• "Development and promotion of Sri Lanka's Foreign Trade Relations at Bilateral (with individual countries), Regional (with Regional Integration Arrangements like SAPTA, Bangkok Agreements) and Multilateral (WTO, UNCTAD and other international Forums etc), by the effective implementation of Government Trade Policy, with a view to raising the standards of living and realizing a higher quality of life through the increase of total production, income and employment levels, thereby actively contributing to the overall economic growth of Sri Lanka".

• Issuance of Certificates of Origin (COO) under GSP, GSTP, SAPTA, ISFTA and Bangkok Agreement
• National Focal point for WTO, UNCTAD, ITC,CFC, ITCB,CEC, SAPTA, ESCAP etc.
• Organizing National seminars /Conferences on international trade
• Creating awareness among the public through dissemination of vital information and knowledge
• Trade promotion / Trade Representation Abroad
• Trade inquiries
• Handling trade complaints
• Issuing recommendations for resident visas
• Approval of credit agencies under the Mortgage Act.
• Data bank

• Charges for the issuance of certificates of origin are as follows:
• Initial registration of companies for certificate of origin - Rs 4500/- per Company
  ( one time payment)
• Issuance of certificate of origin - Rs 400/- per certificate
• Cancellation of certificate origin and issue a fresh certificate - Rs 400/- per certificate
• Issue of duplicate of COO - Rs 400/- per certificate
• Issue of additional copy of COO - Rs 200/- per certificate

What is the time schedule of the DOC for the issuance of COO?   

• The Policy Branch of the Department of Commerce accepts the duly completed certificate/s together with the payment receipt for authorization from
  9.30 am to 12.30 pm and 1.00pm to 2.30 pm and the certificates of origin are issued on the same day.
• Certificate/s handed over to the Policy Division between 2.30-3.30pm will be issued only on the following day.
• The certificates submitted for airfreight consignments are issued on the same day. However, the exporters are advised to submit their certificates before 3.30 pm the latest.
• The Cash Counter (Cashier) is open only from 9.30am to 12.30 pm and 1.00pm to 3.30 pm .

• You must incorporate your company within 3 months of name approval. Failure to do so will cancel you company name from the database. You will then need re-apply for a company name from the beginning.
• First you have to decide the Company Name
• Once you verify the availability of the Name, fill the Name search form (i.e. A16). You can simultaneously submit a draft copy of the Memorandum & Articles of Association. Or this could be submitted at a later date after the name is approved.
• The form A 16 and the Memorandum & Articles of Association are examined by at the public information counter. More information will be requested depending on the manner in which the forms have been filled. This may be done by e-mail. If the name includes initials they will ask for what the initials stand for.
• Once the name and the Memorandum & Articles of Association are approved the requestor has to submit forms 5, 36A, 46 and 47 and two copes of the approved Memorandum & Articles of Association. A fee of Rs. 135 will be charged for each form on submission.
• The incorporation fee based on the authorized share capital and charges for stamps, as well as the fee for the Articles of Association should be paid at this point.

What is incorporation fee?   

The incorporation fee based on the authorized share capital and charges for stamps, as well as the fee for the Articles of Association should be paid at this point.  

Current Fee for Name Request - Rs.265
Incorporation Fees by Number of Members

What are the activities of the Measurement Units Standards & Services Department?   

• Department has activities in three functional areas
  

  a	Fundamental Metrology
  b	Industrial Metrology
  c	Legal Metrology

• The activities under each functional area are given below

  a	Fundamental Metrology
  -	Establishment of the National Measurement Units Systems of the country.
  -	Establishment of the National Measurement Laboratory of the country.
  -	Realization ,Establishment ,Updating , Maintenance and Dissemination of National Measurement Standards of the country at the National Measurement Laboratory.
  -	Establishment and maintaining international measurement tractability for the measurements.
  -	Conduct Research and Development work on practical realization of measurement units, precision measuring technology.
  -	Disseminate and promote measurement parameters and technology to Scientific, Industrial, Legal Metrology areas of the country.
  -	Accreditation of calibration and Testing Laboratories for implementation of the National Measurement System of the countryTraining and consultation on measurement technology and advice on methods of resolving measurement problems.
  b	Industrial Metrology
  -	Provide measurement tractability through calibration to industrial, calibration and testing laboratory.
  -	Providing training and consultation on measurements, calibration ,instrumentation and methods of resolving measurement problems in industrial measurements.
  -	Direct personal in Design ,Manufacture, Evaluation of measurement standards, instruments and test methods for industrial measurements.
  -	Provide expert assistance in the formulation of industrial documentary standards, laboratory accreditation programs and product and quality systems certification
  c	Legal Metrology
  -	Establishment of District verification laboratories and verification centers.
  -	Initial verification and re-verification of weights measures, weighing and measuring instruments used in trade.
  -	Monitoring and control of manufacture, repair, import and sale of weight, measures, weighing and measuring instruments used in trade.
  -	Protection of consumer by implementation of the penal section of the Measurement Units, Standards &services Act.
  -	Pattern approval of weight, measures, weighing and measuring instruments used in trade and industry.
  -	Monitoring and control of Prepackaging.
  -	Mandatory calibration of measuring instruments used in industry, health and environmental protection.
  -	Consumer education on legal metrology.

To whom should I complain about incorrect weight and measures?   

To relevant District secretary in district secretariat

Where can I get information about the details of the stamping centers and the date of stamp of weight and measures equipment?   

Either District secretary or Officer in charge of weight and measures in relevant district secretariat.

You can get the correct information from ...
Director, Measurement Units ,standards & Services Department
 Tele No : 011- 2588914, 011-2587199
  Fax: 011-2597756

Do I need an Import Licence to import a vehicle?   

1. Motor Car:
   Import License is not required to import brand new cars. And If used it should be
   les than 3 ½ years old.
2. Commercial Vehicle:
   Import License is not required (Buses, Vans, Lorries) to import brand new vehicles
   and if used, it should be less than 5 years old.

Do I need an import license to obtain for items under license control prior to shipment of goods?   

Yes it is required to obtain a license prior to shipment of goods. Importation of gift Vehicles under gift scheme - Instructions to Applicants

1. Application
2. National Identity Card     

• A Copy of Birth/Marriage Certificate.
• hotocopy of donors passport
• etter from the employer (It should indicate date of appointment, Post held and salary paid by donor, Fax number an the email of the employer)
• ank documents showing foreign earnings and remittance to Sri Lanka covering the period of employment abroad.
• egistration certificate/Cancellation of the registration certificate of the vehicle.
• hotograph of the vehicle

(Genuineness of the documents will be verified. If forged documents are submitted, you will be black listed.)

Can anyone send me gift vehicles?   

1. Full name and the permanent address in that country
2. VISA according to his/her duration in that country
3. Service certificate as a foreign employee.

What are the rules related to vehicle?   

1. Vehicle should be right hand driven.
2. Vehicle age should be under 5 years old
3. Engine Capacity
   Petrol Car - not exceeding 1800CC
   Diesel Car - not exceeding 2300CC
   Jeep - not exceeding 3000CC
4. You should indicate the Value of the Vehicle

Importation of Vehicles under earned exchange abroad

Yes. You need to pay a License fee of 15% of C.I.F value of the vehicle

It should be paid by a bank draft to the department

1. Application
2. Copies of passport (Pages with photograph, departure endorsement, Visa covering the period of employment)

There are two categories:
Motor car should be registered in the name of the applicant and

• If it is older than 3 years and less than 5 years from the first registration, you should have used it at least one year.
• If it is older than 5 years and less than 10 years from the first registration, you should have used it at least 3 years.

Yes. It is required.

You need

• Cancellation of registration of the vehicle
• Bank Statements

• Vehicle should be right hand driven.
• At the clearance of the vehicle you should have both license and the passport.
• Vehicle should be registered in the name of the license and cannot be transferred for three years.
• This is permitted once in five years only

Consumer Affairs Authority was established by the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003.

Consumer Affairs Authority was established by the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003.

Aggrieved consumers and traders.

• Handling of consumer complaints by aggrieved consumers.
• Handling of complaints by traders on anti-competitive practices and unfair trade practices.
• Conducting market investigations and market surveys.
• Specifying goods and services which are essential to the life of the community and regulating the prices thereof of the goods and services specified as above.
• Computer awareness and empowerment mainly by establishing consumer organizations.
• Issuing of directives to traders and manufacturers on labeling, packaging, price marking etc.
• Obtaining the required redress for the aggrieved consumer and punishment of offenders through the judicial systems.
• Warning of any trader or manufacturer in the case of first contravention of the provisions of the CAA Act.

A written complaint along with supportive documents which relates to the sale of goods or to the provision of service shell be sent to the Authority within three months. An inquiry is held into the complaint. After an inquiry the Authority shall order the trader or the manufacturer to pay compensation to aggrieved party or to replace such goods or to refund the amount paid for such goods or the provision of services.

• CAA has quasi Judicial powers in respect of inquiries vide Sections 13 & 32.
• Power to enter into written agreements with the manufacturers or traders on areas specified in the Act.
• To specify goods and services which are essential to the life of the community and regulation of prices thereof.
• To determine standards and specifications relating to goods and supply of services. (Standards and specifications prescribed by the Sri Lanka Standards Institutions could also be adopted).
• The Authority has powers to call for any information from traders.
• The Authority has the power to sell perishable goods that are seized and detained under section 58 of the CAA Act.
• Offences under the Act deemed to be cognizable offences, i.e. power to search, take into custody without a search warrant.
• Certain officers have been categorized as peace officers who could act in terms of the Code of Criminal Procedures Act No.15 of 1979.

Complaint must be made in writing. It must be forwarded within the time specified by the CAA Act. It should be supported with relevant documents.

No. Cost is solely borne by the Authority.

No. Any individual can lodge a complaint.

 No. We have a district office network where any complaint could be made to such offices as well.

Yes. Even if there are regulatory bodies established for specific purposes consumers can make complaints to the Authority as well where CAA plays the role of a monitoring body.

• Complaints should be addressed to Director General of the Authority.
• Address: Consumer Affairs Authority, CWE Secretariat Building , 27, Vauxhall Street , Colombo 2
• Chairman- 2399146
• Director- 2399149
• General- 2393577, 2445897, 2393495, 2393970, 2399147
• Fax- 2399148