Sri Lanka
Is CBD Legal in Sri Lanka?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
CBD is illegal for general consumer sale in Sri Lanka. The Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance treats cannabis derivatives as controlled substances, and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has not registered any cannabidiol product, including Epidyolex, for the general market.
Imports of CBD oils, tinctures, vapes, and cosmetics are blocked by Sri Lanka Customs at Bandaranaike International Airport. Cannabidiol products fall outside the Ayurveda Act licensing framework, which covers traditional cannabis preparations administered by registered Ayurvedic physicians, not Western-style CBD isolates. Travelers carrying CBD risk seizure and prosecution under the 1929 ordinance.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Key facts ·
Sri Lanka
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Prohibited (consumer CBD)
Regulator
National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA); National Dangerous Drugs Control Board
Key regulation
Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance No. 17 of 1929; Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961
Effective
January 1, 1929
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Legal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
CBD imports are prohibited. Sri Lanka Customs detains consumer CBD products at Bandaranaike International Airport. The NMRA has not approved cannabidiol consumer goods, and the Ayurveda Act licensing channel does not extend to imported CBD products.
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