The Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court has imposed fines totaling Rs. 230,000 and ordered the destruction of more than 1,300 expired cosmetic products, medical devices with altered prices, and medicines without required price markings seized during a raid by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).
The case was filed by CAA Badulla District Investigation Officers following a raid on Prabaharan Agencies, Ettampitiya Road, Bandarawela, on August 5, 2026.
During the inspection, officers discovered 24 expired packs of Aquasoft Lotion, 97 Dyna Orthopedic Braces on which the previously marked Maximum Retail Prices had been erased and new higher prices indicated, equipment and tags used for altering prices, and more than 1,180 packs of medicines without the legally required Maximum Retail Price markings.
After the defendants pleaded guilty, the Court fined Hemas Surgicals & Diagnostics (Pvt) Ltd Rs. 100,000, Hemas Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd Rs. 100,000, and Prabaharan Agencies Rs. 30,000. In addition to the fines, the Magistrate ordered the complete destruction of the seized stock of medicines, medical devices, and cosmetic products presented as case exhibits.
The CAA has urged consumers to remain vigilant, checking expiry dates, marked prices, and other mandatory information when purchasing products. Reports of businesses selling expired goods, altering prices, or failing to display required information can be made via the 1977 Consumer Hotline. (Newswire/AI image)