INDECENCY

Australian man jailed in Lanka for running naked on ground

SRI-LANKA-AUSTRALIA-CRICKET-BUDDHISM-ARREST An Australian man running naked during a Test cricket match between his country and hosts Sri Lanka at the Pallekele | AFP

A Sri Lanka court on Wednesday jailed an Australian streaker for indecent exposure after he ran naked across the ground during a Test match between the two countries on Tuesday. The man, identified as Alexander James from Queensland, was also fined Rs 3,000.

The incident happened when the play was halted due to the incessant rains on the first day of the first Test at Pallekele International Stadium. Video footage showed James jumping over the fence, stripping, and then running over the covers that were brought on to protect the outfield from the rain. The streaker was chased down and arrested by police personnel.

“He was charged on two counts - drunken behaviour at a public place and indecent exposure. He was also fined 3 000 rupees,” an official at Kandy magistrates court was quoted as saying by the AFP.

Insult to Buddhism?

Police said they pressed the charges partly because they believed the streaker's actions had hurt the sentiments of Buddhist priests in Kandy, home to one of Sri Lanka's holiest shrines, the Temple of the Tooth.

Sri Lanka has been highly sensitive on Buddhism, with several foreign tourists having faced actions in the past for allegeldy insulting the religion.

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