Pop star Akon in cabinet

24 March 2010 06:54 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Indika Sri Aravinda

Cabinet has ratified the government decision to reject a visa to R&B singer Akon on the basis that one of his videos brought disrespect to Buddhism, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena told reporters a short while ago.

The Minister, responding to questions posed by journalists, also rejected the idea that the government was involved in the attack on the MTV/MBC media network in Colombo. The attack on the media instiution was discussed by Cabinet today and the name of a Deputy Minister was mentioned as having knowledge of the protest prior to the stone attack.

Meanwhile Daily Mirror online has also learnt that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had informed Cabinet this morning that Akon had not sought a visa to perform in Sri Lanka so far. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 21

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 08:49 AM

Buddhism is not a fanatical religion. In fact it is a philosophy. But sadly, we do not have true Buddhists in Sri Lanka, they are all fake.

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 01:50 PM

We have a pathetic country ruled by undemocratic idiots

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 01:18 PM

Buddhism is not a religion, It's a Philosophy & a Way of Living !

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 11:50 AM

A new member to our Jumbo CABINET... "AKON"

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 11:05 AM

What about MoP. None of them ever practice what they preach. What hypocrites

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 10:32 AM

Don't give a chance to Akon

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 10:05 AM

Banana Republic

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 09:41 AM

Govt should have just ban the concert on religious grounds. rejecting visa for akon may lead to diplomatic issues between SL & US.

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 09:19 AM

A good decision and a lesson to others who desecrate or insults religions in the name of "Art and Music'

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 09:16 AM

this should have been FM's decision, why on earth our cabinet spend "valuable" time on this trash?

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 09:07 AM

There are worse criminals than Akon in the Cabinet itself. How about the deputy minister who organised the attack on MTV/Sirasa and the Monk MPs who condone "thithata matha" at the Temple Trees.

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 07:07 AM

wonder how they gave a visa to the military junta who also disrespected buddhism.....

funny country this is...

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 08:44 AM

well done mr...

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 08:41 AM

burning houses, stone on houses ,killing journalists are not disrespect to Buddhism.

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 08:12 AM

May I remind you just the basics - "Maithree........"

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 08:03 AM

It is Utter jealousy by the Government that their State media couldn't host AKON. So ahey're attacking sirasa and banning akon coming into sri lanka

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 08:02 AM

Akon is no issue to us. Talk about the real issue. Who is responsible for the blunder made by tourist board to get down Akon?

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 07:52 AM

Bus was government, goons were by a cabinet minister so it has government written all over it

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 07:18 AM

Does Buddha belong only to Sri Lanka? This is ludicrous stuff? This is why we are called a banana republic.

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 07:14 AM

When Prostitutes are brought to Sri Lanka from all over the world there is no disgrace to this Buddhist Country????????

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 07:07 AM

Goes against what the Buddha taught us.
Where is Metta? Where is equanimity? where is forgiveness? forgiveness need not be asked, to give.

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Pop star Akon in cabinet

Comments - 21

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