Sri Lanka's Consumer Affairs Authority fines pharmacies and clinics over illegal and expired medicines

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) of Sri Lanka has intensified enforcement against illegal and expired pharmaceutical products. By early August 2026, the CAA reported 471 special pharmacy raids nationwide, seizing expired medicines, medical devices and baby products and imposing fines totalling Rs 2,269,500.

A separate raid on a Colombo warehouse uncovered a stockpile of illegally imported medicines and medical supplies valued at over Rs 10 million, prompting a formal investigation and pending legal action. In May, Orience International Business (Pvt) Ltd and its director were fined Rs 100,000 after pleading guilty to storing expired Ayurvedic medicines and cosmetics without required labelling.

In the north, two medical institutions – Northern Central Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd and New Sun Rise Medi Clinic – were fined a combined Rs 400,000 for possessing expired medicines and overcharging patients for blood tests. The CAA urged the public to report violations via its 1977 hotline.