Sri Lanka, Jan. 8 -- Officers from the Katunayake Airport Police and the Airport Tourist Police arrested a Chinese national on the evening of January 6 for allegedly stealing US$ 10,000 from the hand luggage of a high-ranking Thai Buddhist prelate. The stolen currency is valued at around Rs. 3,080,000.

The prelate arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, from Bangkok, Thailand, at 11.07 a.m. on January 6 via SriLankan Airlines flight UL-403. He exited the airport through the Silk Route (VIP) lounge.

The prelate subsequently travelled to Sigiriya. Upon arrival, he discovered that the US$ 10,000 kept in his hand luggage was missing and immediately notified the Thai Embassy in Colombo.

A senior official from the Em...