The Supreme Court yesterday ordered that compensation be paid to British tourist Naomi Coleman who was arrested and detained at the Bandaranaike International Airport in 2014 for having a tattoo of the Buddha tattooed on her upper arm.

Accordingly a sum of Rs. 800, 000 was ordered to be paid to Ms. Coleman. Police officers of Katunayaka Police involved in arrest and detention were also directed to pay 50,000/- each personally.

Naomi Coleman was detained by police in 2014 and later deported on a court order, contrary to the laws governing immigration and emigration.

JC Weliamuna PC appeared for Coleman  and DSG Parinda Ranasinghe for Police.