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Dangerous Drug-Related Offences in Sri Lanka

February 24, 2026 by
NELSON KUMARANAYAKE LAW ASSOCIATES

DANGEROUS DRUG-RELATED OFFENCES IN SRI LANKA


Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 218)

Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, No. 13 of 1984

Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, No. 41 of 2022

 

BAIL

If Charged under Section 54A and 54B of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the grant of bail is dependent on the quantity of the drugs or punishment; Morphine, Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine

Pure quantity of the drug is less than 10g

Bailable in the High Court

Pure quantity of the drug is 10g or above

Bailable in the High Court

If the punishment is Death Penalty or Life Imprisonment

Bailable in the High Court

 

PUNISHMENT

Column I

Nature of Offences

Column II

Pure Quantities

Column III

Penalty

traffics, possesses, imports or exports

Opium

1 Kilogramme or above

Death or life imprisonment.

500 grammes to less than

1 kilogramme

Life imprisonment

50 grammes to less than

500 grammes

Fine not less than Two Hundred Thousand Rupees and not  exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Rupees and imprisonment of either description for a period not less than ten years and not exceeding fifteen years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

10 grammes to less than

50 grammes

Fine not less than One Hundred Thousand Rupees and not exceeding Two Hundred Thousand Rupees and imprisonment of either description for a period not less than five years and not exceeding ten years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Less than 10 grammes

Fine not exceeding One Hundred Thousand Rupees and imprisonment of either description for a period not less than two years and not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Morphine, Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine

5 grammes or above

Death or life imprisonment

3 grammes to less than 5 grammes

Fine not less than Two Hundred Thousand Rupees and not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Rupees and imprisonment of either description for a period not less than ten years and not exceeding twenty years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

2 grammes to less than 3 grammes

Fine not less than One Hundred Thousand Rupees and not exceeding Two Hundred Thousand Rupees and imprisonment of either description for a period not less than seven years and not exceeding ten years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Less than 2 grammes

Fine not less than Twenty Five Thousand Rupees and not exceeding Fifty Thousand Rupees and imprisonment of either description for a period not less than three years and not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Cannabis

100 kilogrammes or above

Fine not less than Two Hundred Thousand Rupees and not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Rupees and imprisonment of either description for a period not less than ten years and not exceeding fifteen years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

5 kilogrammes to less than 100 kilogrammes

Fine not less than One Hundred Thousand Rupees and not exceeding Two Hundred Thousand Rupees and imprisonment of either description for a period not less than five years and not exceeding ten years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

1 kilogramme to less than

5 kilogrammes

Fine not less than Fifty Thousand Rupees and not exceeding One Hundred Thousand Rupees and

imprisonment of either description for a period not less than two years and not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Less than 1 kilogramme

Fine not less than Twenty Thousand Rupees and not exceeding Fifty Thousand Rupees and imprisonment

of either description for a period not less than one year and not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

 

- NELSON KUMARANAYAKE LAW ASSOCIATES -