Police have intensified investigations into a major narcotics trafficking operation in which Buddhist monks are alleged to have played a central role in smuggling and distributing drugs in Sri Lanka, following the arrest of 22 monks at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
According to senior police officials, a search is underway for another monk and two additional suspects believed to be directly involved in coordinating the operation. The case was taken up before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where Additional Magistrate Subhani Abeysekara ordered that the arrested monks be detained and questioned until May 2.
The monks were arrested upon their return from Thailand after airport authorities seized narcotics worth approximately Rs. 1.1 billion from their baggage. The detection was made by officers of the Airport Narcotics Bureau, acting on specific intelligence, at around 10.30 p.m. on April 25.
Investigations revealed that the drugs had been systematically concealed in false bottoms of the monks’ suitcases, which were otherwise packed with school stationery such as pens, pencils and sweets to avoid suspicion. Police informed court that each monk was carrying approximately four to five kilograms of narcotics, indicating a coordinated smuggling effort rather than an isolated incident.
Further inquiries showed that the monks had travelled to Thailand on April 22 using airline tickets provided by an unidentified sponsor, and that they had done so without obtaining the mandatory recommendations from their chief prelates. Forensic examination of their mobile phones also uncovered photographs and video footage of the monks wearing civilian clothing while abroad.
Police emphasised before court that the monks had allegedly been used as couriers to transport narcotics into Sri Lanka, exploiting their religious status to bypass scrutiny. Evidence has also emerged suggesting that the same monks were later used to facilitate internal distribution, pointing to a wider narcotics network operating within the country.
A key suspect in the case is Agunukole Amitananda Thera of Sri Punya Lankaramaya, Rammuthugala, Kadawatha, who police allege was responsible for recruiting the monks, organising the Thailand trip, and coordinating the receipt and distribution of the drugs. Investigators told court that a WhatsApp group used to recruit the monks for the journey had been administered by Amitananda Thera.
Police further stated that when the monks were arrested at the airport, Amitananda Thera had been present at Katunayake to receive the narcotics consignment. Upon realising that the monks had been apprehended, he allegedly fled the airport in an agitated state and went into hiding in the Migahawatta area, where he was later arrested during a coordinated police operation.
Medical reports submitted to court revealed that Amitananda Thera had tested positive for narcotic substances at the time of his arrest. Several mobile phones, including a high-end iPhone belonging to him, were seized, and court orders were obtained to analyse both domestic and international communications found on the devices.
Police told the court that the evidence gathered so far strongly indicates that the arrested monks were knowingly used by Amitananda Thera for transporting and distributing narcotics, and that further investigations are ongoing to identify local and international collaborators.
In addition to the monks in custody, police arrested a layperson, Chandrakumara Dayarathna, who was produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court and named as the third suspect in the case. He has been detained until May 12.
The Negombo Magistrate has also imposed a travel ban on two monks, including Ven. Ambagasmulla Punyarathana Thera, who is currently evading arrest. Police are further searching for Belpitiye Dhammarakkhita Thera, also known as “Dhamma”, who allegedly arranged hotel accommodation in Thailand for the group of monks.
The 23 monks currently in custody, including Amitananda Thera, were remanded until May 12. Police informed court that continued detention is necessary to uncover the full extent of the monks’ involvement in the narcotics trafficking and distribution network, both within Sri Lanka and abroad.
(Adopted from a news story published in the Sunday Times)