Monday Apr 27, 2026
Monday Apr 27, 2026
Monday, 27 April 2026 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A major narcotics haul valued at over Rs. 1.1 billion has been seized at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), along with the arrest of 22 men disguised as Buddhist monks.
The arrests were made during a Saturday night operation by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), acting on prior intelligence.
Officials described the seizure as unprecedented, noting it is also the first reported case involving men disguised as Buddhist monks linked to a large-scale narcotics smuggling attempt at the Airport.
Sri Lanka Customs Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa said over 110 kilograms of suspected kush and hashish were discovered concealed in false-bottom suitcases packed with school supplies and sweets. Accordingly, each suspect was allegedly carrying over five kilograms of narcotics in their luggage.
The group of men disguised as monks had travelled to Bangkok on 22 April, with airline tickets reportedly arranged by an external sponsor. They returned to Sri Lanka on flight FD140 operated by Thai AirAsia, arriving at around 10:11 p.m., when officers moved in based on intelligence inputs.
Authorities said mobile phone evidence recovered from the suspects included images and videos showing them in civilian attire while overseas, raising further questions about the operation. The suspects, believed to be young monks from different parts of the country and engaged in higher education, are due to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court as investigations continue.
