Sri Lanka Court Orders Top Private Hospital Directors to Appear Over Drug Overpricing Charges
By Lions Roar News Justice Desk
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (Thursday, January 22, 2026) — Maligakanda Magistrate Janitha Roshani Perera today ordered the directors of a leading private hospital in Colombo to appear before the court to hear charges regarding the overpricing of medicines sold to an indoor patient.
The court rejected preliminary objections raised by the defense, which claimed the case was filed past the statute of limitations and could not be maintained in the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.
⚖️ Legal Obstacles Overruled
During the proceedings, defense counsel Jeevantha Jayatilake, representing the hospital and its directors, argued that the case was legally void due to a time bar. However, Magistrate Janitha Roshani Perera dismissed these objections, ruling that the case should proceed.
The court has summoned the following high-profile directors for the formal reading of charges:
- Asoka Pathirage (Chairman/Director)
- Manjula Karunaratne
- Sudarshan Ahangama
- Harris Premaratne
- Sivakumar Selliah
- Haresh Kumar Kaimal
- Ajith Karunaratne
- Vishal Bali (Indian National)
- Ankur Nand Thadani (Indian National)
- B.D. Sandatisaru (Staff Member)
While a representative of the hospital and the named staff member appeared in court today, none of the directors were present during the session.
🔍 Background of the Investigation
The case originated from a complaint lodged with the Ministry of Health by Mr. Sanath Kumara Athukorala, a resident of Highlevel Road, Nugegoda. Following the complaint, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) launched an investigation.
- The Complaint: It was alleged that the hospital charged an indoor patient prices for medication that significantly exceeded the government-mandated price caps.
- The Prosecution: Mr. Mahinda Sirikumara, a Food and Drug Inspector for the NMRA, filed the charges against the directors following the inquiry.
📊 Healthcare Accountability: Key Case Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Court | Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court |
| Presiding Judge | Magistrate Janitha Roshani Perera |
| Lead Complainant | Sanath Kumara Athukorala (Patient/Citizen) |
| Prosecuting Authority | National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) |
| Core Allegation | Violation of price regulations for medicinal drugs |
| Defense Argument | Statute of limitations (Rejected) |
