Is Methadone legal in Sri Lanka?
- Legal status
- Methadone is a controlled narcotic in Sri Lanka; it is NOT among the four capital-manufacture drugs named in the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance s.54A (heroin/cocaine/morphine/opium) — its drug-specific capital tier is left to confirmation (and Sri Lanka has a de facto execution moratorium since 1976).
- Consequences if caught
- Unauthorised handling or trafficking draws imprisonment and fines; the s.54A capital provisions name morphine but not methadone.
- If prescribed or medical
- Dispensed as a controlled prescription medicine (OST availability limited).
- Documentation
- Carry a prescription and original packaging; import of controlled medicines needs NMRA authorisation — declare on entry.
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 →