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Brits warned against taking illegal drugs into Sri Lanka

23 Jun, 2025

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Brits have been warned in an updated travel advise, against taking illegal drugs, including cannabis into Sri Lanka.

The warning by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office comes after a British woman was arrested in Sri Lanka recently with illegal drugs in her possession.

“Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport. Airports in Sri Lanka use technology to detect illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers,” the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office noted that there are severe penalties for drug offences, terrorism and all other serious crimes in Sri Lanka.

“The authorities could hold you without charge indefinitely. If convicted, you may face a lengthy prison sentence,” the travel advise warned.

Charlotte May Lee, 21, from south London, was arrested in Sri Lanka in May after authorities allegedly found 46kg of cannabis in her suitcases when she arrived on a flight from Thailand.

Lee had denied knowing the alleged drugs were in her luggage.

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