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Akon disheartened over events

24 March 2010 12:03 am - 11     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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US R&B singer Akon, who was rejected a visa by Sri Lanka to perform in the island over one of his videos, in a statement said he was not aware that a Buddha statue was even on the set of a popular music video which featured him and was disheartened to hear what had transpired in Sri Lanka over the video.

Entertainment Weekly quoted the popular singer as saying that he could understand why some people were offended by the video, but added that violence is never the answer and he is disheartened to hear about a group stoning the MBC media office in Colombo to vent their anger over the video.

“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 in Sri Lanka,” Akon said in his statement.

Meanwhile Entertainment Weekly also quoted American Talent Agency, the booking company responsible for the concert as saying that due to the recent events that transpired in Sri Lanka, they had 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,” the agency said. (Daily Mirror online)

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  Comments - 11

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  • Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:10 AM

    Why can't Akon simply add an "I'm sorry", instead of the blaming part? Just as much as violence is not an answer, ego is not one either.

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:19 AM

    We need him here and then can give him the works Sri Lankan style.

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:30 AM

    Please don't come to Sri Lanka now, Hela Urumaya may repeat Shahrauk Khan,s drama to collect some votes .
    Come after the Elections.

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:34 AM

    Akon, you don't need to lose any sleep over bigots.

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:35 AM

    Postpone? will it change anything? Seems the cancellation is just a chandha gundu in the end. He'll jolly well come & perform after the election. Besides Akon cannot B 4given until he stops selling that controversial vdo & if he calls himself an artist he should B aware of broader things, how can he call himself one when he doesn't even know what's in da vdo. He preach against violence but he even attacked 2 of his fans & he's an ex-criminal

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:44 AM

    Hey Man !. Open your eyes and make a statement on the video even now!. Your ignoranance is not an excuse but a failure. Whiule you know how to count money, learn to respect cuitural values too. Bye.

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:45 AM

    I am a Buddhist and try very hard to practice Lord Buddha's teachings every day. But when one reads all the sites that are against the AKON concert, you can clearly see how it's all blown out off proportion by mainly "kids" who claim they are fighting for Buddhism with their FOUL Language and broken english. Most of you have been complaining that the prices were too high and that its no use going as AKON is faraway and so forth. Each one of you are no saints either.

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:45 AM

    This is a good lesson to Respect all Religions.Most of the people play with Religion. So we should leran to respect all Relegions irrespective of your own faith.

    Sarath Dassanaike

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:46 AM

    Oh...the beginning of the isolation.... Save SL....!!

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:53 AM

    It is quite possible that he did not know the statue of Lord Buddha. It may have been the director who did it. It is also possible that Akon does not know who Lord Buddha is. Such is the spiritual nature of these artistes.

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 06:40 PM

    This video came out last August - where were those, who are now shouting about the video, then?


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