Is Heroin legal in Sri Lanka?

Legal status

Controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance — Sec 54A: DEATH or life (non-mandatory, under execution moratorium); Third Schedule thresholds apply

Consequences if caught

Sri Lanka retains the DEATH penalty for this offence (Sec 54A): death OR life imprisonment for manufacturing or for trafficking/possessing/importing/exporting above the Third Schedule thresholds. CRITICAL NUANCE: the death penalty is NON-MANDATORY (courts treat it as discretionary) AND Sri Lanka is under a long-standing EXECUTION MORATORIUM — sentences are passed and people held on death row, but no executions have been carried out for decades. For heroin the Third Schedule thresholds are: manufacturing 500 g; trafficking or possession above about 2 g is death-eligible.

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine; a prohibited narcotic.

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.

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.