- Buddhasasana Ministry-Chief Prelates talks ongoing
The authorities have uncovered that a businessman is the alleged mastermind behind a major drug trafficking operation involving 22 monks who were arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). The chief monk believed to have coordinated the operation was arrested in Gampaha. Police report that he has not been cooperating with ongoing investigations.
The suspects were taken into custody on 25 April upon arrival from Thailand, carrying approximately 112 kilograms of narcotics, including Kush cannabis and Hash. The total value of the drugs is estimated to exceed Rs. 1.1 billion. This is believed to be the first instance of monks being apprehended at the Airport with such a large quantity of illegal substances.
Investigations revealed the monks had travelled abroad without obtaining the written approval from the Chief Prelates. Buddhist clergy have since urged the Government to reinstate the regulation requiring such authorisation. The Commissioner General of the Buddhist Affairs Department, Gamini Senarathne stated the approval process had only been temporarily suspended. He added that a request from the Chief Prelates to restore the system has already been forwarded to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The suspects were produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on 26 April, where permission was granted to detain them for seven days for further questioning by the Police Narcotics Bureau. During interrogation, the monks claimed that their travel and accommodation had been arranged by sponsors, and that they were instructed to transport luggage purportedly containing school supplies. The authorities have seized the suspects’ mobile phones, and the Criminal Investigation Department is analysing them to identify further details about the alleged trafficking network. The group was also referred to the Judicial Medical Officer on Monday.
Separately, residents in Induruwa staged protests against a monk from their area who is among those arrested.
The discussions with the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Sects regarding the incident took place for the second day yesterday (28) at the Buddhasasana, Religious Affairs and Cultural Affairs Ministry. When contacted by The Daily Morning, Secretary of the Supreme Sangha Council of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Sect, Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said the discussions will be further held today (29) to come up with the next measures to be taken according to the agreement with the Chief Prelates. Following that, the Sangha Council will be informed of the decisions taken and act upon it. The Chief Prelates had immediately issued a notice condemning the incident and the renegade monks on the day the incident happened.