A Colombo 13-based company and its director have been fined a total of Rs. 100,000 after pleading guilty to five charges relating to the storage of expired Ayurvedic medicines and cosmetic products that failed to meet mandatory labelling requirements.
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) filed the case before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court against Orience International Business (Pvt) Ltd, alleging that the company had stored expired imported Ayurvedic medicines for sale, failed to maintain records on the destruction of expired products, and possessed Ayurvedic medicines, scented soaps and cosmetic products without mandatory information such as the maximum retail price and importer details.
During a special raid conducted on 20 May 2026, CAA investigators recovered more than 640 expired Ayurvedic capsules and tablets, including Nephrofit, Dolacare, Asparose, Triphala and Ashwagandha.
Officials also seized more than 280 cosmetic and other products, including soaps, face washes, shampoos, day and night creams, hair oils and juices, which allegedly did not comply with labelling requirements. In total, nearly 920 items were seized and sealed.
When the case was taken up before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on 4 August 2026, both the company and its director admitted guilt to all five charges.
The court imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 per charge on each defendant, bringing the total fine to Rs. 100,000.
In addition to the fine, the Magistrate ordered the immediate destruction of all seized medicines, cosmetic products and other non-compliant items.
The Consumer Affairs Authority urged the public to report traders selling expired medicines, substandard cosmetic products or products without the required labelling information through its 1977 hotline during office hours.