It's not just Islamic countries that legislate to try and protect their religion.

[sandyRoe]

http://www.dailymail....Buddha-Sri-Lanka.html

Was I wrong to have thought that Buddhists would be more understanding?

[boxtops]

If they feel it's insulting their religion, they're right to say so. What we see as disrespectful offends us. How many of us were incensed with that youth hanging off the flag at the Cenotaph during the student riots? I don't see why the Buddhists should let this go, if they were offended by it.

[McMouse]

My very limited knowledge of Buddhists and Buddhism would also incline me to think them tolerant of such behaviour. However, different cultures, countries etc have their own rules and tourists should observe them.

[ummmm]

They got a 5 year suspended sentence and a small fine. I think that shows tolerance.

[Duncer]

Although I have no great truck with religion I always believe in the old adage, "When in Rome".

And I know, they were in Kandy, not Rome.

[askyourgran]

When in Rome Dunster - this is supposed to be a Christian country - and we have mad mullahs running around here! Nothing is sacred nowadays.
Buddhists were tolerant of most things, grasshopper. But to make a mockery of a religious icon is beyond good manners.

[QueenOfGoths]

Any guide book or online resource would make it clear that being disrespectful to the Buddha - such as having your photo taken in front of a statue etc.. is not looked on kindly if in a country whose people, when we visited, were tolerant and kind. I think they should have maybe checked that out before they visited. Whatever your feelings about religion showing respect to something that, certainly in Sri Lanka, seems to encompass all ages and classes and is as much a way of life as a religion is only, well, polite imo!

And as ummmm said I think the sentence does show tolerance