By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka’s consumer protection authorities have intensified their crackdown on the sale of expired medicines, non-compliant health products and unfair pricing practices, with courts in Colombo and Jaffna imposing a combined Rs. 500,000 in fines on companies and medical institutions found guilty of violating the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Act.
The latest convictions come amid growing concerns over the quality and safety of medicines and health-related products in the local market, reinforcing the CAA’s efforts to tighten enforcement against businesses that compromise consumer safety.
Colombo company fined
The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has imposed fines totalling Rs. 100,000 on Colombo 13-based Orience International Business (Pvt) Ltd and its director after they had admitted guilt to five charges stemming from a CAA investigation.
The case followed a special raid conducted on May 20, during which CAA investigators had uncovered more than 640 expired imported Ayurvedic capsules and tablets, including products marketed under the names Nephrofit, Dolacare, Asparose, Triphala and Ashwagandha.
Investigators had also seized over 280 cosmetic and personal care products — including soaps, shampoos, face washes, creams, hair oils and juices — that had allegedly failed to comply with mandatory labelling requirements such as displaying the maximum retail price and importer information.
According to the CAA, the company was charged with storing expired Ayurvedic medicines for sale, failing to maintain records relating to the destruction of expired products, and possessing products that did not meet statutory labelling standards.
When the matter was taken up before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on August 4, both the company and its director had pleaded guilty to all charges.
The court had imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 for each charge on both defendants, bringing the total penalty to Rs. 100,000. The Magistrate had also ordered the immediate destruction of the nearly 920 seized products.
Jaffna hospitals penalised
In a separate set of cases, the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court had imposed fines amounting to Rs. 400,000 on two medical institutions following inspections carried out by CAA investigators in July.
Northern Central Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd in Thirunelvely was fined Rs. 300,000 after pleading guilty to three charges related to possessing expired medicines, including eye surgery medicines, expired Ether Liquid, Hydrogen Peroxide and expired surgical equipment discovered during a July 29 inspection.
Meanwhile, New Sun Rise Medi Clinic on Navalar Road was fined Rs. 100,000 after admitting to charging Rs. 550 for a Full Blood Count (FBC) laboratory test despite the CAA-approved maximum fee being Rs. 400.
The Jaffna Magistrate had also issued a special order under Section 60(6) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act directing that details of both judgments be published in newspapers, a measure intended to enhance public awareness and encourage compliance with consumer protection laws.
Growing enforcement
The latest prosecutions form part of a broader campaign by the CAA targeting expired medicines, improperly labelled products and excessive charges imposed on consumers.
The Authority has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report businesses selling expired medicines, substandard cosmetic products or goods without mandatory labelling information through its 1977 hotline during office hours.
The recent court rulings send a clear message that regulatory authorities are adopting a stricter approach towards businesses that endanger public health or violate consumer protection laws, particularly in sectors dealing with medicines, cosmetics and healthcare services.
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