A New Zealander has been sentenced to two years and six months in jail by a court in Burma, also know as Myanmar, after being found guilty of insulting Buddhism.

Philip Blackwood was arrested and charged in early December after posting an online advertisement for the bar he runs which showed a psychedelic depiction of a Buddha wearing headphones.

Blackwood, 32, Tun Thurein and Htut Ko Ko Lwin were given two years of hard labour for insulting religion and six months for disobeying an order from a public servant.

When he arrived at court today Blackwood told the BBC he hoped "justice will be done".

He earlier denied the charges, insisting he didn't mean to cause any offence.

"For me, I didn't mean any bad feeling with the post. So I hope people can understand and please forgive me for my mistake," Blackwood said at the time

After the sentencing, Blackwood told reporters as he was getting into a police van that he would appeal.

The New Zealand Embassy in Rangoon, also known as Yangon, has been in contact with Blackwood and his family and are providing consular advice and assistance.

The trial of V Gastro manager Blackwood, bar owner Tun Thurein and employee Htut Ko Ko Lwin came as the predominantly Buddhist nation grapples with a surge of religious nationalism - including violence against members of the minority Muslim community.

About half a dozen monks and hard line Buddhists gathered outside the court to hear the verdict.

"The verdict is fair. This punishment will deter others from insulting Buddhism or other religion," said Paw Shwe, a member of a Buddhist organisation.

The three were arrested in December after the image was used to promote the tapas bar and lounge, and have been detained in Burma's notorious Insein prison. The online ad was removed and an apology was posted.

About 90 percent of Burma's people are Buddhist. Perceived insults to the religion are taken seriously, especially in the context of the religious-based violence in the past few years pitting Buddhists against Muslims.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch said the three men acted in a culturally insensitive way but they should not be sent to prison.