COLOMBO, 25 August 2026 – The Sri Lankan Parliament has introduced a pivotal legislative amendment, Bill No. 62/2026, titled “Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) – GS,” signifying a robust move to intensify the nation’s fight against illicit drug activities. This comprehensive bill, ordered to be published by the Minister of Justice and National Integration on August 24, 2026, seeks to amend the long-standing Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 218), introducing stricter provisions and expanding the scope of what constitutes a dangerous drug offence.
The proposed amendments address both emerging drug threats and judicial processes, aiming to create a more formidable legal framework for law enforcement and the judiciary.
Key Amendments and Their Impact
The amendment bill focuses on several critical areas, reflecting the evolving landscape of drug-related crime:
1. Criminalising Methamphetamine Production
- Clause 2 significantly amends Section 54A of the principal enactment. It now explicitly categorizes the manufacturing of methamphetamine as an offence. This places methamphetamine on par with other highly controlled substances such as heroin, cocaine, morphine, and opium.
- Furthermore, Clause 2 broadens the scope to criminalize the manufacturing of “any dangerous drug” listed in Groups A, B, C, D, and E of Part I of the Third Schedule, excluding specific drugs already covered.
- The penalties for these manufacturing offences are severe: a fine of not less than Rs. 200,000 and not exceeding Rs. 500,000, or imprisonment for a period of not less than ten years and not exceeding twenty years, or both.
- Clause 3 extends this reach by amending Section 54AA, making the manufacturing of methamphetamine on the high seas an explicit offence under the principal enactment, underscoring Sri Lanka’s commitment to combating transnational drug operations.
2. Designating Cannabis sativa L. as a Dangerous Drug
- A crucial change under Clause 5 is the explicit inclusion of Cannabis sativa L. and any galenical preparation of Cannabis sativa L. as dangerous drugs under Group B of Part I of the Third Schedule. This amendment provides clear legal definitions, removing ambiguities and strengthening the legal stance against various forms of cannabis.
- Consequential amendments are also made to Part III of the Third Schedule to align with these new classifications.
3. Stricter Bail Provisions for Serious Drug Offences
- Clause 4 introduces significant amendments to Section 83, tightening the conditions for granting bail in serious drug-related cases.
- Individuals suspected or accused of offences under specific sections (54A(1), 54AA(1) and (2), and 54B), where the pure quantity of the dangerous drug is one hundred grammes or above (or gross quantity in the absence of a Government Analyst report) and the offence is punishable with death or life imprisonment, will face much stricter bail regulations.
- In such circumstances, bail can only be granted by the Court of Appeal in exceptional circumstances. The Court of Appeal will also retain jurisdiction over the matter, even if a subsequent report indicates a pure quantity less than one hundred grammes, unless it directs the transfer to the relevant High Court. This provision aims to prevent legal loopholes and ensure accountability in high-stakes drug cases.
Government’s Unwavering Commitment
The Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill, 62/2026, represents a decisive move by the Sri Lankan government, particularly the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, to fortify the nation’s defences against the escalating global drug trade. By explicitly targeting dangerous new substances like methamphetamine, clarifying the legal status of substances like Cannabis sativa L., and implementing more stringent bail requirements, the government is signalling its unwavering commitment to protect its citizens and uphold law and order.
As this bill progresses through Parliament, it is expected to significantly impact Sri Lanka’s judicial and law enforcement landscape, providing enhanced tools to disrupt drug networks and ensure severe consequences for those involved in illicit drug activities.
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