AKON DENIED VISA FOR SRI LANKA CONCERT
AKON’s upcoming concert in Sri Lanka has been thrown into jeopardy after government officials denied the R&B singer a visa to enter the country.
The Smack That hitmaker has come under fire from locals in the capital city of Colombo, who took offence to his video Sexy Chick, which features groups of scantily-clad women dancing at a pool party in front of a Budd ha statue.
Some residents in the largely Buddhist country were so incensed by the promo, they held a protest against the singer’s April (10) show on Monday (22Mar10) and gathered outside the headquarters of the Maharaja Organisa tion, the broadcaster sponsoring the gig.
Four network employees were injured as the protesters hurled rocks and stones at the building.
The civil unrest has now prompted government officials to ban Senegales e-American Akon from performing in the country.
Anusha Palpita, the director-general of the Government Information Depa rtment, says, "Taking into consideration the allegations levelled against the singer Akon, the government had decided not to issue him a visa to c onduct the concert in Sri Lanka.
Promoters for the concert have yet to comment on the ban, and represent atives for Akon had yet to respond to requests for a comment as WENN went to press.
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
