Sri Lanka has detained a British tourist for sporting a Buddha tattoo on her right arm, with further plans of deportation, BBC News reported.
Naomi Michelle Coleman was arrested at the main international airport in the capital Colombo after authorities spotted the tattoo on her right arm on Monday, police said in a statement.
Her tattoo featured a Buddha sitting on top of a lotus flower.
The 37-year-old was arrested for "hurting others' religious feelings," a police spokesman said on Tuesday.
After appearing before a magistrate, Coleman was ordered to be deported. According to BBC News, she is currently being held at an immigration detention camp and is expected to be deported within a few days.
Sri Lanka usually takes strict action against perceived insults to Buddhism, which is the religion of the island's majority ethnic Sinhalese. The country is particularly sensitive about images of the Buddha.
"We are aware of the case and are providing appropriate consular assistance," the British High Commission in Colombo said.
After flying in from India, Coleman arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport on Monday.
"Last March, another British tourist was denied entry at Colombo's international airport because immigration officials said he had spoken 'disrespectfully' when asked about a tattoo of the Buddha on his arm," BBC News reported.
After the incident, Antony Radcliffe spoke of his "shock", claiming that he was a strong follower of Buddhist teachings and believed the tattoo to represent an apt tribute.
Three French tourists were given suspended prison sentences for kissing a Buddha statue two years ago.
The UK travel advice on Sri Lanka warns of the sensitivity of the issue and tells visitors not to pose for photos in front of statues of Buddha, BBC News reported.
Monks belonging to certain hardline Buddhist groups have led violent attacks against Muslims and Christians over the past year. Religious minorities have raised concerns of this trend taking effect in Sri Lanka.
