22 Buddhist Monks Arrested With 110kg of Marijuana at Sri Lanka Airport

Colombo, Sri Lanka – In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the nation, 22 Sri Lankan Buddhist monks have been apprehended at Bandaranaike International Airport upon their return from Thailand. The monks, who had reportedly been on a four-day holiday in Bangkok, were found to be in possession of a staggering 110 kilograms of high-grade marijuana, specifically 'Kush'.

Customs officials revealed that each monk was carrying approximately 5 kilograms of the illicit substance, cleverly concealed within specially designed compartments in their luggage. This marks the largest single seizure of 'Kush' cannabis at the airport, underscoring a concerning trend in drug smuggling attempts. The arrested individuals, many of whom are young students from various temples across Sri Lanka, had their trip sponsored by a businessman.

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Each of them was carrying about 5kg of the prohibited substance, which was hidden in a special compartment behind the false bottom of their respective bags.

The incident has raised serious questions about the integrity of religious figures and the porous nature of our borders. While authorities are conducting further investigations and have presented the suspects before a magistrate, the sheer volume of drugs and the involvement of monks highlight a disturbing new dimension to the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in Sri Lanka. This event is particularly jarring given the deep respect afforded to the monastic community in our society.

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Customs officials described this seizure as the largest single detection involving 'Kush' cannabis at the airport.