Akon has been denied a visa by the Sri Lankan government, and will not be allowed to perform a planned concert in April, Reuters reports. This news comes a day after hundreds of protesters attacked the offices of one of the concert’s sponsors in response to footage in the singer’s video for “Sexy Bitch,” which depicts women dancing suggestively in front of a statue of Buddha. According to a government official, he is being accused of “defaming Buddhism in his music videos.”
UPDATE: Akon has released this statement: “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.”
Shouldn’t the fact that he had women being portrayed as sex objects be a bigger deal…?
Apparently not.
Welcome to the 21st century!
So typical of our people to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Considering all that’s going on in this country this concert may have been something fun to look forward to. But NO, that is really too much to ask for isn’t it?
its more a 19th century opinion.
Good. The man is vulgar and shouldn’t perform anywhere.
‘According to a government official, he is being accused of “defaming Buddhism in his music videos.”’
A real Buddhist wouldn’t care. Their government should stay out of matters that don’t concern them.
Yeh. First SL govt needs to be investigated for its involvement in war crime. Whare their budhism went when they are commiting war crimes and killing people
Have you been in Sri Lnka before to tell that they did war crimes. The terrorist in Sri Lanka are innocent people but Terrorists in Afgan, Iraq and Pakistan are terrorist. Man Mind your own business. Sri Lanka Can take whatever decision they want. That is the right as a independent Government.
Being Buddhist does not mean that terrorism should be tolerated. Blaspheme should be encouraged. We do not want vulgarism and do care to protect Buddhism in our country and also respect all other religions. That is the Buddhist way.
Yeah, Yeah Nihal, so act like a hooligan and throw stones??
You guys haven’t even come close to understanding the philosophy of Buddhism, let alone earn the right to become protectors of it.
Are you aware that the prime-mover behind the protest is a drug dealer?
yes you are correct
Good. The man is vulgar and shouldn’t perform anywhere
I my self is a Buddhist and I am a shame to see how the ppl in sri lanka has reacted towards this. True enough that the video is offensive but as real Buddhist is this the way that we should have shown that it is not accepted. This in contrary project a very wrong impression on Buddhism ? we are a very calm and tolerant religion , but unfortunately the Buddhist in sri lanka has shown the worst of them . what is done is done…hope they can show there protest when there is so much of thugary , prostitution etc going on at this point in the country. It’s a shame that the nation is not ‘ real Buddhist ‘ for those ….
“I myself am a spiritual man”… yeah right… never seen a spiritual man dry hump a 15 yr old chic onstage before!!!
And he best be apologizing for the issue with the buddha statue.. thus far the statement issued doesn’t apologize!
very good action …he is a good singer .. but he should respect others religion….
Respect not only others religion but also others views and sentiments.
When ten people say that two plus two is six while one says two plus two is four, this ‘democratic’ world says that what the majority says is correct.
How lucky for Sri Lanka!
mervtheperv, You have misunderstood me. When I said that vulgarism would not be encouraged, hooliganism was not exempted. The Buddhism teaches non-violance and compassion but we do not want anybody to insult Buddha or Buddhism. Many Western countries use Buddha as a trade mark. they even use the name Nirvana as a trade mark. No other religion than Buddhism gets so much disrespect from the people of other faiths. We will have to draw a margin to stop this somewhere.
Yes Mr. Nihal
api ape agama gana adambara wenna ona, kawadawath ape agama pahath karanna ida denna honda naaaaaaaaaaa
ok
21 siyawasa kiyala ape dewal ape kama apita ona, Budu Saranai !
Mr Pradeept, Thank you so much indeed for your understanding. In the USA itself some States do not like Raps. They say rap is crap. Most of these rap singers utter a lord of craps in their songs inluding the four letter word. Just to give the impression that these (c)rap singers are above the Nobles with their own mundane vulgar passions they add blaspheme to denounce Buddhism. They have a hidden agenda. Can you remember when Sharook Khan visited Sri Lanka to perform his concert on the very same day of the creamation of Rev. Soma Thera amidst the protest of many Buddhists a tragic death occurred. We just can’t deminish our religous and cultural values to the tune of western ideologies.
Government with a strong back-bone!
Way to go SL!
Why do I have a really strong feeling that none of this has really got anything to do with Buddhism, but is most likely some kind of politically motivated stunt or a personal vandetta against someone involved in promoting the show???
What you say might be the truth.It is all money.
When will people learn that everything that happens in the land of small miracles has a political agenda..this has nothing to do with us being a Buddhist country, if thats the case there are so many other things that go on in this country is defaming Buddhism that everyone gives a blind eye to.
Its a shame that this concert will not take place cause it would’ve been good for the image of the country with all the allegations that are aimed at us..and i feel this is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black. and i’m pretty sure this concert would’ve taken place if it was scheduled about a month after elections.
We are indeed a land of small miracles cause nowhere else in the world would you have drug dealers, murderers, rapists and extortionists elected into parliament.
Makes me so proud to be Sri Lankan Buddhist..
You definitely hit the nail on the head!
the song was released on July 24 last year & after almost 1year only we got to knw that there is an issues on this video… funny
Very true Dan & Kiran