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Can you bring medication to Sri Lanka?

At a glance

  • Controlled medication — depends on specifics

    Medicines in NMRA's Schedule III aren't permitted, and more than a 90-day supply needs NMRA approval first.

  • Injectable medication — depends on specifics

    NMRA's traveller instruction states: 'The medicine administered through intramuscular or intravenous route is not permitted' under the no-prior-approval personal allowance.

  • Prescription medication — allowed, within limits

    Up to 90 days' supply, or your stay if shorter, in original containers. Show your prescription if asked.

  • Controlled medication

    depends on specifics

    NMRA's traveller instruction excludes 'The medicine specified in Schedule III' from the personal-medicine allowance ('not permitted'), and any quantity above a 90-day supply needs prior NMRA approval. Separately, the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (s.54A(c)) makes it an offence, 'except as permitted by ... the provisions of this Chapter or a licence of the Director', to import any dangerous drug listed in Part III of the Third Schedule above the amounts set there, with severe penalties (s.54A(a) sets death or life imprisonment for manufacturing heroin, cocaine, morphine or opium). We could not find the content of NMRA's 'Schedule III' on an official page, so we cannot say which specific drugs (e.g. ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, codeine) are excluded. If your medicine is a narcotic or psychotropic, contact NMRA (info@nmra.gov.lk, +94 11 2698896) before travel. Sources: NMRA traveller page (https://www.nmra.gov.lk/announcements/bringing-personal-medicines-into-sri-lanka) and the Ordinance text published by NMRA (https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/666d0695ca3ba7fa496a5068/66d0118a99a826f61299405c_podd_drugs_ordinance_06.pdf).

    Also covers: controlled medication, narcotic medication, psychotropic medication, dangerous drugs, opioids, strong painkillers, controlled substances

    Source Bringing Personal Medicines into Sri Lanka — National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA)Checked against the source on 2026-10-09

  • Injectable medication

    depends on specifics

    NMRA's traveller instruction states: 'The medicine administered through intramuscular or intravenous route is not permitted' under the no-prior-approval personal allowance. The page does not mention subcutaneous injectables (such as insulin pens or GLP-1 pens) either way, so this row does not cover them — ask NMRA (info@nmra.gov.lk) before travelling with any injectable. For an intramuscular/intravenous medicine you need, NMRA's personal-user Letter of Authorization route (prescription, request letter, ID, prescriber-signed form) is the official channel, though the page does not say explicitly that it applies to travellers' IM/IV medicines.

    Also covers: injectable medication, injection, injections, intramuscular, intravenous, iv medication, syringe medication

    Source Bringing Personal Medicines into Sri Lanka — National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA)Checked against the source on 2026-10-09

  • Prescription medication

    allowed, within limits

    Personal medicine without prior NMRA approval: the quantity needed for your stay or up to 90 days, whichever is less, in the original container (or labelled with name, strength and instructions); show medical records or prescription when asked.

    NMRA 'Instruction for travelers': 'A person travelling to Sri Lanka can carry medicine for his personal use, without prior approval of the NMRA' under these conditions: the quantity of any single medicine for the duration of the stay or up to ninety days, whichever is less; prior NMRA approval for quantities exceeding a 90-day requirement; medicine 'administered through intramuscular or intravenous route is not permitted'; 'The medicine specified in Schedule III is not permitted'; original container or appropriate labelling; medical records or prescription produced when necessary. For medicines not registered/available in Sri Lanka, NMRA issues a personal user Letter of Authorization (prescription, request letter, ID copy, prescriber-signed form; max 100 doses; no fee; email pa5@nmra.gov.lk). The NMRA page carries no visible date.

    Also covers: prescription medication, prescription medicine, medicine, medication, pills, tablets, personal medication, prescription drugs

    Source Bringing Personal Medicines into Sri Lanka — National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA)Checked against the source on 2026-10-09

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Informational only — not legal advice. Customs rules change; confirm with the official source above before you travel. See update history