Consumer Affairs Authority conducts raids on pharmacies and illegal food facility

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has conducted 471 special pharmacy raids across Sri Lanka in 2026 as part of a health and safety enforcement program. Between January and June, 362 pharmacies were inspected, followed by a recent two-day operation on August 3 and 4 that targeted 109 pharmacies. These actions resulted in 86 detected violations, leading to court-ordered fines totaling Rs. 2,269,500.

Investigations revealed the sale of expired medicines, pharmaceutical products lacking mandatory consumer information, and various offenses related to medical devices and baby products. Seized items include tablets, injections, syringes, creams, and pregnancy test kits, which will be produced before relevant Magistrate’s Courts.

In a separate enforcement action, the CAA uncovered an unlicensed canned fish manufacturing facility in Elabadagama, Pannala. The authority seized stock valued at approximately Rs. 1.5 million. The facility was operating without required licenses or regulatory oversight, prompting the CAA to shut down the operation to mitigate public health risks.