Buddha tooth relic photo sparks Sri Lankan police investigation
Photography is prohibited during the viewing of the highly venerated relic, which went on display this month for the first time since 2009
Sri Lanka police launched an investigation on Sunday into a photo circulated on social media claiming to show a Buddha tooth relic, which has gone on display under tight security.
The Criminal Investigation Department was ordered to determine whether the widely-shared image was from the rare display of the relic, police said.
Photography is strictly prohibited during the public viewing of the highly venerated relic, which went on display this month for the first time since March 2009.
Devotees are frisked before being allowed into the sacred area of the Temple of the Tooth in the central city of Kandy. No bags or parcels are permitted, while the use of mobile phones is also banned inside the temple.
“If someone took a photo inside the temple, it is a serious security lapse,” a police official said.
“There is a significant presence of plain-clothed officers inside the temple,” he said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.