Akon banned from Sri Lanka over Buddha video

Angry Buddhists have succeeded in getting pop singer Akon banned from Sri Lanka after being scandalised by the video to his song, Sexy Bitch, which features bikini clad dancers gyrating in front of a giant Buddha.

Belying their faith's reputation as a docile religion, Sinhalese Buddhists stormed the offices of the Maharaja Broadcasting and Television Network - which was to have sponsored a concert by the singer and rapper in Colombo in April - demanding that the authorities take action.

The campaigners even set up a group on Facebook called 'We Hate Akon (Abuse Music Video Against Lord Buddha)' which has attracted 14,000 members.

Although Akon and his entourage have not yet applied for visas to visit Sri Lanka, the government has announced that they will not now be allowed into the country.

It seems that the video is just one of Akon's problems in the eyes of the authorities. "Apart from this particular controversial video clip, some of Akon's lyrics are not suitable for public articulation," said a statement on the Sri Lankan government's official news portal.

The singer, whose back catalogue includes the tracks I Wanna Fuck You and Smack That, said: "I 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."

He may have a point in relation to the Buddha issue. The song Sexy Bitch was not his own, it was recorded by DJ David Guetta with the Senegalese star only appearing as a guest vocalist. It was also renamed Sexy Chick in the UK.

The video was filmed in Ibiza and Buddha has a very small role. The statue appears in the background of several shots, but is hardly noticeable.

Akon himself has claimed that he was "not aware that the statue was even on the set of the video until now".

Akon's international booking agents American Talent Agency said they had not abandoned plans for a show in Sri Lanka. But by the time a new date is agreed the singer's new album, provisionally titled Stadium, may well have come out. And no matter how much he apologises over the video, his problem with unsuitable lyrics could still present a stumbling block. One of the tracks he has recorded for the new work is called She Wants Sex.

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