Renowned Buddhist monk and British national Ajan Brahmawansa Thera encountered an unexpected and prolonged delay at Katunayake Airport yesterday morning (May 31) while attempting to board a scheduled flight to Bangkok.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Brahmawansa was forced to spend more than 12 hours at the airport before being escorted onto his flight.

Ajan Brahmawansa Thero arrived at Katunayake Airport the previous evening (May 30) in preparation for his departure on a SriLankan Airlines flight bound for Bangkok, Thailand. The flight was scheduled to depart at 1:10 am on May 31.

After successfully completing all necessary airport procedures and clearances, Brahmawansa took his place in the special guest cabin, reserved for prominent individuals, in anticipation of boarding the flight.

Coincidentally, the Prime Minister and several other ministers were also present in the special guest cabin, as they too were traveling to Bangkok, Thailand on the same flight.

Shortly thereafter, the Prime Minister and the group accompanying him were escorted to the aircraft bound for Thailand via a special bus.

Airport officials informed Ajan Brahmawansa, who remained in the special guest cabin, around 2:30 am on May 31 that his flight had been canceled.

Later in the morning, Brahmawansa underwent the necessary clearance procedures once again. Finally, at 10:45 am, he departed from Katunayake Airport on SriLankan Airlines flight UL to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, designated as flight 314.

During this unfortunate turn of events, Ajan Brahmawansa was left stranded at Katunayake Airport for more than 12 hours, causing inconvenience and frustration.