Visa denial follows the rock-throwing protest
Akon Denied Visa to Perform in Sri Lanka
By Ranga Sirilal
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka on Tuesday said it would deny a visa to singer Akon, whose planned April concert in the island nation sparked rock-throwing protests by Buddhists offended by one of his videos.
A day earlier, hundreds of people stormed the head offices of the Maharaja Broadcasting and Television (MBC/MTV) Network, a sponsor of Akon's planned April concert. Four employees were injured and windows and parked cars were smashed.
A police officer takes photos as an office worker makes a call after attackers openly stoned the head office of Sri Lanka's largest private broadcaster, in Colombo March 22, 2010. The assault in the commercial heart of the capital damaged the head office of the Maharaja Broadcasting Network, injuring four of its employees
Akon's video for the song "Sexy Bitch" features scantily clad women dancing in front of a statue of the Buddha. Sri Lanka's ethnic majority Sinhalese are primarily Buddhists.
"Taking into consideration the allegations leveled against the singer Akon, the government had decided not to issue him a visa to conduct the concert in Sri Lanka," Anusha Palpita, the Government Information Department's director-general, said.
Palpita said that the main allegation against Akon was that he was "defaming Buddhism in his music videos."
Representatives for Akon could not immediately be reached for comment.
Sri Lanka's Buddhist clergy are hugely influential in ordinary life and politics, and in the past hardline Sinhalese nationalists have become violent against those they see as offending Buddhism.
The attack by an estimated 200 people on the pro-opposition network, which runs three TV and four radio stations from its headquarters in central Colombo, came as the campaign for parliamentary polls on April 8 heats up.
In December 2004, a hand grenade attack at a concert by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan killed two people and wounded 19, which was blamed on Sinhalese nationalists angry the concert fell on the first death anniversary of a renowned Buddhist monk.
(Editing by Bryson Hull) (courtesy: Reuters)
A man prepares to throw a stone at the offices of Maharaja Broadcasting Network, Sri Lanka's largest private broadcaster, in Colombo March 22, 2010. Witnesses said the attackers shouted slogans against the network's sponsorship of a concert by Senegalese-American R&B singer Akon next month.
Akon has released this statement: [Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly]
“I was not aware that the statue was even on the set of the video until now. I would never set out to offend or desecrate anyone’s religion or religious beliefs. I myself am a spiritual man, so I can understand why they are offended, but violence is never the answer and I am disheartened to hear about what happened yesterday in Sri Lanka.”
American Talent Agency, the booking company responsible for the concert, had this to say, “Due to the recent events that transpired yesterday in Sri Lanka, we have decided to postpone Akon’s upcoming show. We are working diligently with the local promoters to ensure the safety of both our talent and the fans before committing to a new date. Akon is looking forward to performing for the people of Sri Lanka and we hope to have this situation resolved in the coming weeks.”
10 Comments
People in the West should understand that it is not possible to defame and malign the religous feelings and sensitivities of people and then break bread with them. Thats not religous freedom or human rights. Hence the banning of such people is a commendable move by the govt.
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Akon and Dalai Lama are denied visa to enter Srilanka.
This is nothing to do with Buddhism.
They just failed to 'satisfy' key people.
:-)
Well done Sri Lanka, for the appropriate action taken.
Would such vulgarity be allowed in front of a statue of Jesus Christ or a Mosque ?
Idiotic, perverted and vulgar western liberalism will interprit the video as freedom of expression. But they fail to see that religous sensibilities of east are more valuble to them.
It's so unfortunate that the Buddha's teachings are so seldom heard in SL!
"Bhikkhus, even if bandits were to sever you savagely limb by limb with a two-handled saw, he who gave rise to a mind of hate towards them would not be carrying out my teaching"
The Simile of the Saw, Majjhima Nikaya
Akon is a FIRST CLASS DOUCHE-NOZZLE and his music SUCKS anyway... We should be happy he's been given the boot. If you want to listen to his CRAPPY MUSIC then download it for FREE off the Internet or If you truly feel you must expose yourself to EXCESSIVE BLINKING LIGHTS, PROFANITY and CACOPHONOUS, UNMELODIOUS SOUNDS then go to TIMES SQUARE in New York and experience that at No Additional cost,... don't waste your hard earned money going to one of his concerts.
@ Wasantha.
*** Idiotic, perverted and vulgar western liberalism will interprit the video as freedom of expression. ***
You are absolutely correct. I would like to see Akon even attempt to do a concert in Saudia Arabia or pretty much any country in the Middle East... There are limits to Freedom of Speech and Expression. Just ask Rock Muscian GG ALLIN how many States in the US of A he was banned from performing in...
GG ALLIN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGOEV3MBMR0
Budha taught 'non violence' but Sri Lankan Budhist monks promote violence and hatred against other religions. WAR Loving Sri Lankan Buddhist MONKS Part - 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIOuTVNAu80&feature=PlayList&p=2B11890E59A5AAB6&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=40
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hANGeoGt_RQ&feature=related
So some of the Buddhists have joined together and got this singer banned. The Catholic church and its supporters rallied together and banned the completely innocuous "Da Vinci Code".
But neither the church fathers, nor the Buddhist monks, worry about all the crooks who do not follow an religion BUT MAKE USE OF RELIGION for their own ends. In Rome the Pope has issued an apology regarding pedophile Irish priests but refrained from sacking any body.
Lif goes on as usual.
What is the statu of Budha a 2000 year old icon doing in the modern video seting. Probably as a decoration?
Why make a fus.
***
What is the statu of Budha a 2000 year old icon doing in the modern video seting. Probably as a decoration?
Why make a fus.***
Because Religious Symbols are NOT Decorations....They hold value to many people.