A woman with Buddha tattoo get compensation after deported from Sri Lanka

News24xx.com -  A woman who was deported from Sri Lanka for having the Buddha's tattoo on her arm finally got compensation. Naomi Coleman, from Coventry, England was held for four days in April 2014.

The Supreme Court has ordered an indemnity of up to 800,000 Sri Lankan rupees (IDR 70 million), while calling the Coleman to explaine the shameful and horrible act and claiming that its rights have been seized.

Coleman told BBC Sinhala that she was very happy with the decision. The police officers involved in his arrest were also ordered to pay damages against Coleman.

Coleman, a mental health nurse, took legal action against the Sri Lankan authorities after returning to England.

The court ruled no legal basis for his arrest and said that a number of officers and a warden had treated him in contempt.

In particular, one of the prison guards also made obscene comments and explicit sex-related sayings against Coleman, while some police officers forced him to give money.

Coleman, who was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo's capital, Colombo, said earlier that the detention made her absolutely overwhelmed with fear.

She told the BBC on Wednesday that she was 'shocked' and 'emotional' when hearing the news.

"Eventually the court really proved that I did not make any mistakes," Coleman said.

When asked if he would return to Sri Lanka, she replied: "I'm not sure, I do not know.I'm very happy, I do not want that to happen to anyone else."

After being ordered to be deported, Coleman spent one night in a prison in Negombo and two nights in a detention center. She told police she was a Buddhist and attended various meditation and workshop events in Thailand, India, Cambodia and Nepal.

The Sri Lanka authorities have been tough on various alleged contempt for Buddhism, which is the majority religion of Sinhalese population on the island.

 

 

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