Not yet medically reviewed, information on this site is in preparation and has not been verified by a medical reviewer.
Legality · MDMA

Is MDMA legal in Sri Lanka?

Confirmed against a primary sourceVerified June 26, 2026
Legal status
Controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance — illegal; not confirmed in the Sec 54A capital schedule in the primary source — confirm classification
Consequences if caught
MDMA is controlled under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, but it is NOT confirmed in the Sec 54A capital schedule in the reachable primary source — confirm its classification before relying on it. 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.
If prescribed or medical
Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.
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.
Primary sources
  • 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