Bottled Water Industry Seeks Relief from MRP Gazette 📈

The Sri Lanka Bottled Water Association (SLBWA) has formally requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to suspend or revoke the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) gazette, citing severe financial strain on manufacturers. • Pricing Deadlock: The industry is currently bound by Gazette No. 2430/15 (issued April 2025), which fixed prices such as Rs. 70 for 500ml and Rs. 130 for 1.5L bottles. • Cost Escalations: Manufacturers report that while prices remained fixed, operating costs have surged due to: • Higher electricity tariffs impacting treatment plants. • Rising costs of PET plastic (petroleum-based) and raw material imports. • Increased fuel and freight charges affecting logistics. • SME Risk: The SLBWA warns that small and medium-scale producers are struggling to remain viable, which could lead to supply disruptions of safe drinking water nationwide. • Current Status: Based on provisional industry appeals; the association is urging a framework review to reflect current economic realities.