A private hospital in Kegalle has been fined Rs. 520,000 after being found guilty of overcharging for a blood test and keeping expired medical chemicals and needles, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.

The CAA’s Kegalle District Investigative Officers had filed three charges before the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court against Candella Hospital (Pvt) Ltd, located on Colombo Road, Kegalle, for violating provisions and directives under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act.

The charges included:

• Charging Rs. 500 for a Full Blood Count (FBC) test, exceeding the controlled price of Rs. 400.
• Keeping 20 packs of expired HCV Rapid Test Cassettes and expired chemicals used with Clinical System Analysers in the hospital laboratory.
• Keeping 23 packs of expired UNOLOK single-use hypodermic needles for sale at the hospital pharmacy.

The violations were detected during a special raid conducted by CAA officers on July 24, 2026.

When the case was taken up before the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court on August 6, the hospital pleaded guilty to all three charges. The court subsequently imposed a total fine of Rs. 520,000.

The CAA urged the public to report private hospitals and laboratories that use expired medicines, chemicals or medical equipment, or charge above controlled prices, by calling its 1977 hotline during office hours.