The British Government has updated its travel advisory to its citizens, warning of the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis, in Sri Lanka.
The travel advisory warns that this includes the risk of arrest if they are found carrying drugs when transiting through the airport.
“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 UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said, issuing a warning on Illegal drugs.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office further said that there are severe penalties for drug offences, terrorism and all other serious crimes.
“The authorities could hold you without charge indefinitely. If convicted, you may face a lengthy prison sentence. If you’re arrested under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act, the authorities could detain you without charge, awaiting a trial date,” it warned.
The travel advisory was issued after the 21-year-old Charlotte May Lee 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, who had denied knowing the alleged drugs were in her luggage, remains in remand custody in Sri Lanka.
Under such circumstances, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the travel advisory on drugs issued on 06 June remains effective at present.
For further details, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka (Newswire)
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