‘V-Pramithi’ national programme launched to ensure consumer goods quality

The Ministry of Science and Technology has launched the “V-Pramithi” national programme to monitor the quality and safety of consumer goods in Sri Lanka. The initiative, aligned with the “Clean Sri Lanka” plan and National Integrity Week, began with inspections at Pettah Public Market on 28th, where samples of items like street food, coconut oil, and cosmetics were collected for testing. Authorities plan to continue the programme to safeguard consumers and promote high-quality products.

The Ministry of Science and Technology introduced the “V-Pramithi” national programme to ensure that consumer goods in the Sri Lankan market meet quality and safety standards.

This initiative, launched on 28th at the Pettah Public Market premises, is part of the broader “Clean Sri Lanka” national initiative and National Integrity Week.

As the first activity, officials inspected shops at Pettah Public Market and randomly collected samples of street food, coconut oil, toys, jaggery, treacle, cosmetics, spices, and electrical appliances.

These samples will undergo quality testing to check their composition, standards, and safety levels, according to authorities.

The programme is intended to continue in the future to protect consumers, ensure only quality-assured products circulate in the market, and prevent unsafe goods from reaching the public.

It also aims to raise consumer awareness about purchasing safe products and encourage manufacturers and traders to maintain proper quality standards.

Science and Technology Minister Professor Chrishantha Abeysena stated that the programme will conduct comprehensive assessments of everyday consumer goods and provide technical guidance to ensure that food, beverages, and other products are free from harmful substances, including toxins and heavy metals.

Technical support for the programme comes from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board.

Implementation is directed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs Authority, and Sri Lanka Police, among other institutions.

Officials from these bodies, along with Public Health Inspectors and technical agency representatives, attended the launch event.