Is Cannabis / THC legal in Sri Lanka?
- Legal status
- Controlled (Sec 29) — penalized but NOT capital: general penalty (Sec 78) a fine plus up to 5 years; licensed Ayurvedic/medicinal carve-out exists
- Consequences if caught
- Cannabis (ganja) is controlled under Section 29 but, unlike heroin or cocaine, is NOT a capital offence: the general penalty (Sec 78) is a fine plus up to 5 years' imprisonment. A cultural/Ayurvedic licensed-medicinal carve-out exists. Possession of under 1 g where the person agrees to rehabilitation can be diverted to treatment (2007 Act).
- If prescribed or medical
- Cannabis is permitted only within the licensed Ayurvedic/medicinal carve-out; it is otherwise controlled.
- Documentation
- Sri Lanka retains the death penalty for serious drug offences (Sec 54A), but it is NON-MANDATORY (treated as discretionary) and the country is under a long-standing EXECUTION MORATORIUM — death sentences are passed and people held on death row, but no executions have been carried out for decades. Cannabis is NOT a capital offence. Possession of under 1 g where the person agrees to rehabilitation can be diverted to treatment (2007 Act). Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.
- Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance No. 17 of 1929 (Ch. 218), amended by Act No. 13 of 1984 and the 2022 amendment, Secs 29/54A/78 + Third Schedule
- UNAFEI (corroborative)
- nddcb.gov.lk
- parliament.lk
- srilankalaw.lk
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Sri Lanka’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →