Private hospital fines exceeding Rs. 5.7 million were imposed over inflated laboratory fees, expired medicines and unsafe chemical storage.
The latest private hospital fines imposed across Sri Lanka have exceeded Rs. 5.7 million, following cases involving excessive laboratory charges, expired medicines and unsafe chemical storage.
In one case, Jaffna Additional Magistrate M.N.N. Hussain Mohammed fined Venus Speciality Hospital (Private) Ltd after it admitted charging above the regulated price for a Full Blood Count test.
The hospital, located in Kandarmadam on Palali Road, Jaffna, charged Rs. 550 for the test. However, the Consumer Affairs Authority had fixed the maximum permitted price at Rs. 400.
The hospital therefore collected Rs. 150 more than the regulated rate.
The main account states that the court imposed a Rs. 300,000 fine. However, the accompanying list records the Venus Speciality Hospital fine as Rs. 3 million. This discrepancy requires clarification from the relevant authorities.
Hospital Ordered to Publish Public Notices
After the hospital pleaded guilty, the Additional Magistrate also ordered it to publish notices in national newspapers.
The advertisements must appear in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The hospital must submit records of those advertisements to the court within one week.
Officials uncovered the overcharging during a raid by the Consumer Affairs Authority’s Northern Provincial Office.
Investigators conducted the operation under the direction of A.L. Jaufer Sadiq, identified as the Assistant Director responsible for the operation.
Investigating Officer T. Rajeevan represented the complainant on Sadiq’s instructions. Attorney Jodivel Godel appeared for the accused hospital.
The case concerned a violation of Section 20(5) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 09 of 2003.
Undercover Officer Confirms Excessive FBC Charge
Rajeevan visited the hospital while posing as a patient seeking a Full Blood Count report.
He paid Rs. 550 and obtained a receipt from the hospital. The transaction allowed investigators to document the excessive charge directly.
Officials then used the receipt as evidence that the hospital had exceeded the Consumer Affairs Authority’s regulated maximum.
The prosecution formed part of a wider enforcement campaign targeting private hospitals and diagnostic laboratories.
According to the authority, courts have dealt with cases involving 23 institutions. The combined private hospital fines reportedly exceed Rs. 5.7 million.
Expired Medicines and Chemicals Found
Special investigations and raids identified several recurring offences.
Authorities found institutions using or retaining expired chemicals for diagnostic and medical testing. Some facilities also kept expired medicines intended for patient care or consumer sale.
Other institutions charged laboratory fees above maximum regulated prices.
Investigators also found expired and usable chemicals stored together without proper separation. Such storage creates concerns over whether staff could mistakenly use expired products during testing or treatment.
The hospitals and laboratories listed in connection with the offences, together with the recorded fines, are as follows:
| Hospital or laboratory | Date | Recorded fine | Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venus Speciality Hospital | 2026/07/21 | Rs. 3,000,000 | Jaffna Magistrate’s Court |
| Lanka Hospital Diagnostic (Private) Limited | 2026/07/22 | Rs. 800,000 | Colombo No. 05 Chief Magistrate’s Court |
| Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC | 2026/07/22 | Rs. 100,000 | Colombo No. 05 Chief Magistrate’s Court |
| Asiri Hospital Holdings | 2026/07/20 | Rs. 200,000 | Badulla Magistrate’s Court |
| Navaloka Laboratories Private Company | 2026/07/22 | Rs. 100,000 | Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court |
| Kings Hospital Colombo Private Company | 2026/07/15 | Rs. 100,000 | Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court |
| Durdans Hospitals | 2026/07/15 | Rs. 100,000 | Colombo No. 05 Chief Magistrate’s Court |
| Durdans Medical Centre (Private) Limited | 2026/07/17 | Rs. 100,000 | Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court |
| Cooperative Hospital MPCS Company | 2026/07/17 | Rs. 200,000 | Eravur Court |
| Ceylon Hospital PLC | 2026/07/20 | Rs. 400,000 | Badulla Magistrate’s Court |
| Ceylon Hospital PLC | 2026/07/16 | Rs. 50,000 | Negombo Magistrate’s Court |
| Nawa Suwa Sevana Private Hospital | 2026/07/17 | Rs. 100,000 | Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court |
| Lanka Hospital Diagnostic (Private) Limited | 2026/07/17 | Rs. 100,000 | Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court |
| Royal Hospital (Private) Limited | 2026/07/17 | Rs. 100,000 | Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court |
| Yaal Mother Care Hospital | 2026/07/21 | Rs. 100,000 | Jaffna Magistrate’s Court |
| Wayamba Diagnostic Medical Laboratory (Private) Limited | 2026/07/17 | Rs. 100,000 | Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court |
| Unique Diagnostic (Private) Limited | 2026/07/17 | Rs. 100,000 | Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court |
| Aloka Diagnosis Laboratory | 2026/07/22 | Rs. 10,000 | Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court |
| Heladiva Healthcare Centre | 2026/07/15 | Rs. 7,000 | Matara Magistrate’s Court |
| Union Medi Lab | 2026/07/15 | Rs. 7,000 | Matara Magistrate’s Court |
| Mohotti Medi Lab | 2026/07/15 | Rs. 7,000 | Matara Magistrate’s Court |
| New Logic Laboratory | 2026/07/15 | Rs. 7,000 | Matara Magistrate’s Court |
| Ravindu Laboratory | 2026/07/20 | Rs. 10,000 | Badulla Magistrate’s Court |
The cases show that enforcement now covers pricing, medicines, testing supplies and storage practices.
However, authorities should clarify the conflicting Venus Speciality Hospital figures before publication. Accurate reporting remains essential when naming institutions and detailing court-imposed private hospital fines.
