UK national deported for Buddha tattoo

16 Mar, 2013

Sri Lanka has denied entry to a British tourist sporting a Buddha tattoo on his arm because he showed disrespect to Buddhism, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.
The unnamed Briton was turned back at Bandaranaike Airport, AAP qouted local media as saying.
“When questioned about the tattoo, he spoke very disrespectfully about Buddhism,” an immigration official said.
“If he expressed such views after entering the country, it would have been a threat to his own safety.”
An airport official confirmed the report, but declined to give details.
Last August, three French tourists were sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for five years, for kissing a Buddha statue in what the authorities considered was a sign of disrespect.
In 2010, Sri Lanka prevented US rap star Akon from visiting because one of his music videos featured scantily clad women dancing in front of a Buddha statue.

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