Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Akon concert in the balance

23 March 2010 09:34 am - 47     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

By Jamila Najmuddin


The upcoming concert by R&B star Akon hangs in the balance with the Tourism promotion bureau saying it was looking at the religious sentiments expressed over the concert as well as attempts by anti-Sri Lankan elements to prevent the event from taking place.

Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, Dileep Mudadeniya told Daily Mirror online that the Tourism Ministry was holding discussions with the concerned authorities and after taking into consideration both the aspects, he would make a decision soon.

“There are many anti Sri Lankan elements who are trying to prevent such an international star from coming into the country. But at the same time there are some strong religious sentiments which are being raised. Both aspects are being studied,” Mudadeniya said.

When asked if the bureau was pressurized to reconsider facilitating the concert, Mudadeniya said the ultimate decision they take was not a result of outside pressure.

“There are a lot of concerns but that does not mean we are pressurized by anyone. The decision the minister makes is not a result of any pressure,” Mudadeniya said. Meanwhile the organisers are having discussions with the Tourism Ministry regarding the concert. (Daily Mirror online)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 47

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Tuesday, 23 March 2010 03:24 PM

    This height of stupidness. This should be looked at as another musical concert like any other local musical concerts
    such as Gypsies, Corine etc.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 12:21 PM

    So, the ppl who speak against Akon were anti Sri Lankan. Then JHU must B also 1 of them

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 01:17 PM

    Why do we need these Lunatic performers when there are a lot of quality performers in our country to promote Tourism.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 01:26 PM

    Akon has to try not to be DISRESPECTFUL to religion.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 01:39 PM

    where were you machan?

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 01:56 PM

    crazy sri lankans!!1st somebody confirm if Buddhism is a religion or not!!!

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 01:59 PM

    why you did not protest before only when he is planning to come to sl.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 02:01 PM

    what ever extreemist

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 02:02 PM

    what an extreemist are u rajiv!

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 02:06 PM

    Petty minded Sri Lankans. Sadly, people who like to enjoy this kind of concert in the country is prevented.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 02:57 PM

    Because people out side Sri Lanka don't know about these quality performers and wouldn't bother flying in for a concert!!!!

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 02:58 PM

    Couldn't agree with you more!

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 12:04 PM

    Buddha preached preached against the religions existed & HE DIDN'T MAKE A ONE !

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 03:59 PM

    You can't hate Akon and follow Buddhism at the same time.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 05:04 PM

    No he did not- this is the first time he is performing in Asia.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 05:33 PM

    Yes, you showed your "culture" when the world saw the shattered glasses of the MTV offices. "Nice" work, brothers.

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 02:16 AM

    ya jehan like victor rathnayake and "SAA""prasangaya...

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 02:25 AM

    This is a childish ,18 th Century act ..We have to think wisely , by doing these kind of foolish acts we will end up living in Caves .

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 03:55 AM

    We are trying to promote tourism....... Do you think tourists want to come here and observe 'sil' ??????

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 03:58 AM

    This country can not be developed with guys like you. without protecting the culture there is no development

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 04:52 AM

    Why People are not protesting against Karuna Amman, Who killed 100's of Buddhist Monks. And now he is in parliament.

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:38 AM

    Cancel his visa and get some of our politicians to entertain the crowd, Like "Siripala and the tummy tuckers." " S B and the dark Angels." and "Merwyn and The Doctors"

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:41 AM

    Smart Alec, Seems U're not so smart after all

    Wednesday, 24 March 2010 07:29 AM

    For a Buddhist country to run out of Liquor and meat products before a Poya day speaks for itself, and our Buddhists are in uproar over Akon..............................................

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:34 AM

    Nice work Now Dutugamunu can justify the attack on MTV/MBC to protect the buddhism.

    Miyanmar Dictator killed and tortured thousands of monks but we gave him a red carpet welcome. Sri Lankans are nice buddhist they dont have a moral. SL is the one of best friend of China who supress Dalia Lama but when it comes to Gaza we are with Palastine.

    King Ashoka might have think twice before sending Mihidu if he had foreseen this. What a Hypocracy

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 09:42 AM

    Why should anti Sri Lankan elements try to prevent a show like this which causes unnecessary religious strife in Sri Lanka. Whose lie is that?

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 09:52 AM

    Organizer's

    Devi pihitai,

    SL

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 09:57 AM

    where were they when the child was thrown to the river

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 09:58 AM

    Sri Lanka Green Alliance the collection of green political activists in Sri Lanka here by statewith the strongest possible words that world Buddhist community deserves a strongapology via all media for AKON’s disrespectful behavior in his controversial music video. His behavior is shameful and highlights not music but onlycheap sexual pleasure. While condemning the undemocratic attacks on the concertorganizers, SLGA wish to stand with those who democratically oppose to the questionedevent and music video.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 09:59 AM

    In terms of organizing international events to attract more tourists, it’s worth and respectedto have events which promote’s Sri Lankan cultures, history and civilization to the outsideworld rather than promoting cheap sex and music. Thus, it’s evident that PlatinumEntertainment, MTV/MBC and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB) is taking thecountry in the wrong path and does not support a better Sri Lanka. The agenda and culturebehind the organizing of this event harm the attitudes, traditions and believes of the peopleof Sri Lanka and around the planet in general. Henceforth, it’s best to not to hold thisunsuited concert in Sri Lanka for security reasons and prevent any civil unrest other than toprevent any harm towards public believes and our national identity.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:00 AM

    Way to go SL.You are definetly making waves but not the desired kind.If dancing in front of a buddha statue is disrespectful,then what about buddhists especially the MP's not adhereing to the basic 5 precepts of buddhism.Aren t these also insults to buddhism.Did Lord buddha castigate patachara when she came naked?

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:01 AM

    dont like mustahpa what international elements? it's the same nationalist nuts who have done this, who's keeping you in power.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:01 AM

    let's forever be frogs in wells! brilliant!!

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:02 AM

    What on Earth does the Akon concert have to do with the Tourism Promotion Bureau headed by a hack politician who does not know how to spell the word tourist. This is merely an extension to the stoning of MTV/MBC office yesterday on the orders of our new media minister.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:03 AM

    Mustapha would have pulled his hair out by now if Akon had insulted Islam. Why is he getting educated now on the issue? Akon isn't the only one, rappers often use bimbos with Buddhists images to color their videos. Those who disrespect our spiritual beliefs ought to be banned from making money here including the promoters.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:09 AM

    didn't akon perform in japan, singapore, thailand,korea ????

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 09:40 AM

    he should be kicked out.... forget the concert.... he should learn a lesson.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:45 AM

    Well done IGP.
    Citizen From Kaduwela

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:48 AM

    First ask our selves whether we actually are an exemplary buddhist country. Countries such as Japan, Thailand and China have exemplary citizens who practice true buddhism than the majority of Sri Lankans.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 10:58 AM

    Is a former convict (akon) a suitable roll figure for the Sri Lankan youth? It is a sign of bad judgement if a person like this (after even having desecrated an image of the Buddha in a music video, is allowed to perform a concert in Sri Lanka.
    The claim that " “There are many anti Sri Lankan elements who are trying to prevent such an international star from coming into the country" is only nonsense. There are better and more suitable choices and more famous to. Why must they choose the most bad influencing people to hold concerts in Sri Lanka?
    And why is not Minister Faizer Mustapha taking consideration to the majority Buddhist community and the growing internet buddhist mail communities protests against this artists video? Would he allow an artist desecrating the profet to hold a concert in Sri Lanka too?

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 11:09 AM

    It's clear that the singer is not interested in the philosophies concerned, and he just used the icon in an aesthetic sense. We should let him take the issue with his conscience and keep away from the concert.

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 11:12 AM

    Race Race Race Racism,
    Whereever..
    :-(...
    very sad..

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 11:13 AM

    This seems to getting as bad as when the Ayatollahs' ruled Iran and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

    This sort of radicalism should be stopped forthwith, before it get's out of hand.

    Surely a DJ's performance is not a national issue !
    Or is it a "clever" tactic to divert the attention from burning issues of the day ?

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 11:17 AM

    Anti Sri Lankan events prevent AKON concert.....?? "Ane Mage Kata" Sri Lanka is the laughing stock to the world now..... hahahah

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 11:30 AM

    This is nonsense..now our country will not even allow a singer to come into the country and hold a concert..whats next tell the sri lankan citixens not to fly abroad? tell us not to watch US television? what happened to globalisation and the rights of the people

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 11:48 AM

    SRI LANKAN PEOPLE SHOW THAT THEY ARE PIOUS GUYS BUT DOES THE OPPOSITE FROM TOP BRASS TO DOWN.DONT BE GREAT PRETENDERS...

    Tuesday, 23 March 2010 11:51 AM

    I feel very sad about the country.... when attempts are taken to raise tourism there are peole who oppose that..... well well.... how can we develop..sad story.......


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H