AKON APOLOGISES FOR VIDEO CONTROVERSY IN SRI LANKA
AKON has apologised for using a Buddha statue in the video for SEXY CHICK after it sparked protests in Sri Lanka – but insists he was unaware the spiritual monument was featured in the promo.
Locals in the capital city of Colombo were outraged by the video, which features groups of scantily-clad women dancing at a pool party in front of the iconic statue.
Some fuming residents in the largely Buddhist country gathered outside the headquarters of the Maharaja Organisation, a broadcaster sponsoring an upcoming Akon gig in the country, on Monday (22Mar10) and hurled rocks and stones at the building, injuring four employees.
Government officials subsequently banned Senegalese-American Akon from performing in the country in April (10), denying the R and B singer a visa – and promoters have confirmed the gig has been postponed.
Now Akon has spoken out about the controversy, insisting he was unaware of the statue’s presence in the video – and never intended to “offend or desecrate” any religious beliefs.
In a statement, Akon writes, “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.”
Promoters for Akon’s axed April (10) show in the country are hopeful the gig can be rescheduled and the “situation resolved”.
A rep from the company promoting the gig, the American Talent Agency, says, “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.”
–IANS-WENN
News Source: New Kerala
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It is good that Akon apologised for the mistake
no no mistake …no need and not allowed to come to sl
Akon appolagises, But that SIRASA bugures didn’t………
Mooth ( Akona ) hondai UNP eken mee para election ekata contest karanda danda !
Tissa athanayakage nama TIPEX karala mekage nama danda thiyenne election eka contest karanda !
He says “I myself am a spiritual man ” just like our Ranil Goiya.
Balana kotanam KALAWEDEK wage
What is da connection of AKOn and UNP….What a fool made above comments???
Sad to see these foolish comments
Neth, Don’t be worried about these comments. They are from Gamarala and Siribiris.
Chamath
no need any apology mr.akon , ur not allowed at all, yes ther was an stupid f…but we are the new generation to day- who has respect n heart full love for our wonderful nature, please focus any country for your concert with huge morans crowd except sri lanka, we gonna minimize this raps in sri lankan also, due to love of culture – what ever in our culture produce is the first choose then if some one likes f..st.. raps we I’ll think about it..we always with nanda malene, amara dewa, asanka priyamantha who ever producing sri labnkan flavor
Apologising is good. we should appreciate that. In fact as he is from a defferent country and different religion he has done a greate thing as I see…. what ever It is, he should not be allowed because we dont have to repeat same mistake again and again ie. sri lankan heart always beats with forgiving others..
If he has done a mistake, he should try to correct it by doing a good song for Lord Buddha