British woman to be kicked out of Sri Lanka because of Buddha tattoo on her arm
Naomi Michelle Coleman is being held in a deportation centre after airport staff spotted the tattoo on her right arm
Detained: Sri Lanka is extremely sensitive about images of Buddha A British woman is being booted out of Sri Lanka because she has a Buddha tattoo on her arm.
Naomi Michelle Coleman is being held in a deportation centre after she arrived on a flight from India on Monday.
Airport staff spotted the tattoo on her right arm, as well as one of a lotus flower, and refused her entry to the country.
Sri Lanka regard tattoos of Buddhas as offensive to their religion and the authorities take strict action against what they perceive is an insult to Buddhism.
The Foreign Office would only said: "We are aware a British national is being held and we are providing appropriate consular assistance."
Another British tourist was denied entry at Colombo’s international airport last March after immigration officials said he had spoken "disrespectfully" when asked about a tattoo of the Buddha on his arm.
Two years ago three French tourists were given suspended prison sentences for kissing a Buddha statue.
UK travel advice warns British tourists not to pose for photos in front of statues of the Buddha.
