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Fake monks asking for money near Gangaramaya temple

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O
Oliver B.•7115 rep•2

A man dressed as a monk near Gangaramaya temple tied a string around my wrist and demanded 2000 rupees. Is this a real monk.

23
budget-traveltemples

4 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

This is an imposter. Genuine Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka follow a strict code and are forbidden from aggressively soliciting cash on the street. Scammers buy robes and loiter near tourist hotspots to extort money using guilt. Do not give them anything. If they grab your wrist, pull it back firmly and walk away. Real donations go in the locked boxes inside the temple.

6
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Suresh K.•7700 rep•1

Good to know. I will be much firmer next time I visit the temples.

39
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Oliver B.•7115 rep•2

If you point out a police officer to them, they will literally run away.

18
A
Amali D.•7220 rep•1

I fell for this on my first day. I gave him 500 rupees just to make him leave me alone.

17
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Sophia M.•7790 rep•2

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