Three French nationals - two women and a man were today sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment suspended for five years and fined Rs.1,500 each for taking photographs by possing in an unbecoming manner beside the Buddha statues at the Embekka Devale.  

Galle Chief Magistrate U.S. Kalansooriya sentenced the three suspects Christina Margarita, George and Emile when they were produced in courts by the Galle police.
The three tourists had visited the Embekka Devale in Kandy and posed for photographs while embracing and kissing a Buddha statue. Thereafter they had gone to Galle and had given the photographs to be printed to a studio in Galle. On seeing the photographs the studio manager had informed the Galle police.

The tourists had been arrested by police personnel led by SSP Vaas Gunawardena.
Considering an appeal submitted by the lawyer appearing for the three French nationals, their cameras and their passports were returned but the offensive photographs were destroyed. (D.G. Sugathapala and Krishan J. Jayaruk)