The 22 monks were returning home after a four-day vacation in the Thai capital, Bangkok. They were arrested at the airport after being caught with Kush - a potent strain of cannabis - in their luggage.
"Each was carrying about five kilograms of the drugs, hidden in secret compartments in their luggage," said a spokesperson for Sri Lanka's customs authority, adding that the monks had been handed over to the police and were due to stand trial later on Sunday.
The monks are said to be mainly young students from temples across Sri Lanka, and the trip was sponsored by a businessman.
