Arrest of an Indian girl for Buddha image on dress

Sri Lanka police on Monday arrested, questioned and detained an Indian tourist, who was wearing a dress with a print of the Buddha on it.Wearing the image of the Buddha remains a sensitive matter in Srilanka, where a majority practise Buddhism.

In 2014, a British tourist was deported for sporting a tattoo of the Buddha on her arm.

The 26-year-old Indian tourist was on the island on a family holiday at a resort near Bentota, along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Prior to their departure to India some of them were shopping at a upmarket mall in the capital.

It is there that three cops appeared and wanted to arrest the girl who was wearing the dress with Lord Buddha’s print on it. The aunt of the woman said, that they were terrified and apologised to the police and said they did not intend to offend Sri Lanka.

“One of my nephews rushed to the store next door and bought a T-shirt, so my niece could wear it over the dress. But the police did not allow her to do that. They said, that it is an offence according to the penal code of Srilanka. They were made to sign a statement and apologise, before being allowed to proceed to the airport for departure.