Some Sri Lankan Buddhists Not Amused with Akon’s Music Video

Colombo, Sri Lanka (CHAKRA) – Buddhist Monks and 12 000 other people took offence to Akon’s music video, which has led to a decision by the Sri Lankan government to decline a visa to Akon for a visit to Sri Lanka.  A facebook group was created with approximately 12 000 supporters declining his visit.

The object of offense was a music video which features women in bikinis dancing around a pool in front of a Buddha statue.  A group of monks lobbied the government to stop Akon’s planned visit to Sri Lanka. A devout Muslim, Akon has stated that he is a religious man and didn’t intend to offend anyone.

The video of controversy was Akon’s hit “Sexy Bitch” which was set on the Spanish island of Ibiza.

The Sri Lankan government said that so far no application had yet been made by Akon for a visa to Sri Lanka for a scheduled concert on April 24^th but when he does apply they have decided to decline his application.

A spokesman for the ministry said “He has not applied for a visa yet, but we will refuse him if he does ask for one.”

The Director General of Information, Anusha Pelpita said that Colombo took Buddhist sensitivities seriously even though the show had reportedly been sold out.

A facebook group titled “We Hate Akon” was supported by thousands of Sri Lankans who had come together to stand up for their religion.  One of the postings said “We hate Akon. Please stop insulting a religion. Save Buddhism.”

Sri Lanka which is a majority Buddhist country sets itself as a secular nation but it is at the same time highly sensitive to commercialization of religious images.

Six years ago the Sri Lankan police was ordered to go into a bar to take hold of albums that also portrayed women in bikini with a Buddha. Candles in the shape of Buddha have been banned.

Akon has recently announced to take part in a Bollywood film soundtrack with  from an upcoming movie “RA. One”, featuring popular Shahrukh Khan as the lead Bollywood actor.