(Lanka-e-News, March 30, 2010, 7.25PM) A top rung police officer of the CID told Lanka e news he is ashamed to feed his children out of the salaries he collects from his vocation.
This officer who wished to remain anonymous made this statement while he is undergoing training abroad. The present CID has become shameless lackeys of politicians and has been politicized on a scale as never before in SL, he added. Investigations are never conducted impartially, and they are all warped by political agendas. Hence, he said, his conscience does not permit him to feed his children out of the earnings from this job.
When Mendis was the CID Director, that was the last period when the CID carried out its duties independently. Thereafter, gradually it became a place where the politicians’ wishes were carried out and not the duty to the public was carried out. It is now a degraded den stooping to the lowest level only to please politicians best, he pointed out.
Because of this disgraceful state of affairs , many scrupulous police officers are disillusioned. The CID which was the ‘cream’ of the police plunging so low beyond redemption is a matter for regret, he noted.
At the last Presidential elections 80% of the police officers voted for General Fonseka at the postal polling. But when the results came the picture had been distorted. The CID should first investigate this before anything else, he asserted.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A friend of Sarath Fonseka and Basil Rajapaksha over 40 years writes a open letter
Hello my friends,
This morning I read a statement by the President of Sri Lanka referring to General Sarath Fonseka ' a fool!" As a friend of Sarath Fonseka, as a patriot who was involved in anti LTTE activities for over 30 years and above all as a Sri Lankan, I take umbrage for this irresponsible and unbecoming statement, coming from the head of state of Sri Lanka. In a democracy even if we do not agree with our opponent, we have to respect his right to harbor any opposing views. If we do not want others to contest against you, why do we hold elections and also call them free and fair elections?
In 1970's I attended a meeting for Mahinda Rajapaksa and listened to a speech by Prof. Vinnie Witharana and came home galvanized by the idea of electing young men to the parliament. After a resounding victory of the SLFP, Mahinda Rajapaksa became the youngest MP of the parliament. I was truly happy for two reasons. First of all he was the brother of Basil Rajapaksa, who was my classmante at Ananda College. He was also a close friend of late Gamini Fonseka, who subsequently became a dear friend and virtually a mentor and father to me.
Gamini Fonseka had a property in Weerawila called "Senasuma" and he was unable to get a telephone connection as he had campaigned for the UNP during the 1970 elections and it was Mahinda Rajapaksa using his influence who got the telephone for this facility. In his usual way Gamini never forgot this favour and continued the frienship until his death.
In 1989 Gamini contested the Matara district on the UNP ticket and I ran the campaign for him. During the campaign and even after the victory Mahinda rajapakse used drop in at our Matara residence/office on his way from Beliatta to Colombo. Those were dangerous times as there was a huge threat against candidates of all parties. I still remember how on the first day of our Matara campaign a UNP supporter called "Kalu Mahaththaya" was murdered in Wimal Weerawansa's hamlet. All these things happened 20 years ago and yet the memories are fresh. I also remeber how Gamini used to entertain his friends such as Dm Jayarathne, Jeyaraj Fenandopulle, S. B. Dissanayake and Mahinda Rajapaksa in Deputy Speaker's office although they belonged to the opposition. I remember Gamini appealing to Ranjan Wijerathne on behalf of his opposition friend's security matters.
My thoughts go back to pur A/L class at Ananda College nearly 40 years ago. I was in the same class with Basil Rajapakse, Rajitha Senarathne, Bandula Padmakumara and Ananda Wickramasinghe, the present Consul General for Sri Lanka in California. I was the only one who took part in any sports activity out of four of us. I played for the soccer team with Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa who is an eminent epidemiologist in New Jersey today. We had Ananda Jayathilake who played for the Ananda cricket team and Tissa Ekanayake who was a cadet and an athlete. I played soccer and did athletics. Bandula Pathmakumara even then was involved in film industry and I remember him winning a competition for young journalists conducted by the "Wisithura" newspaper.
A friend of Sarath Fonseka and Basil Rajapaksha over 40 years writes a open letter
(Lanka-e-News 24.March.2010 8.00AM)
Hello my friends,
This morning I read a statement by the President of Sri Lanka referring to General Sarath Fonseka ' a fool!" As a friend of Sarath Fonseka, as a patriot who was involved in anti LTTE activities for over 30 years and above all as a Sri Lankan, I take umbrage for this irresponsible and unbecoming statement, coming from the head of state of Sri Lanka. In a democracy even if we do not agree with our opponent, we have to respect his right to harbor any opposing views. If we do not want others to contest against you, why do we hold elections and also call them free and fair elections?
In 1970's I attended a meeting for Mahinda Rajapaksa and listened to a speech by Prof. Vinnie Witharana and came home galvanized by the idea of electing young men to the parliament. After a resounding victory of the SLFP, Mahinda Rajapaksa became the youngest MP of the parliament. I was truly happy for two reasons. First of all he was the brother of Basil Rajapaksa, who was my classmante at Ananda College. He was also a close friend of late Gamini Fonseka, who subsequently became a dear friend and virtually a mentor and father to me.
Gamini Fonseka had a property in Weerawila called "Senasuma" and he was unable to get a telephone connection as he had campaigned for the UNP during the 1970 elections and it was Mahinda Rajapaksa using his influence who got the telephone for this facility. In his usual way Gamini never forgot this favour and continued the frienship until his death.
In 1989 Gamini contested the Matara district on the UNP ticket and I ran the campaign for him. During the campaign and even after the victory Mahinda rajapakse used drop in at our Matara residence/office on his way from Beliatta to Colombo. Those were dangerous times as there was a huge threat against candidates of all parties. I still remember how on the first day of our Matara campaign a UNP supporter called "Kalu Mahaththaya" was murdered in Wimal Weerawansa's hamlet. All these things happened 20 years ago and yet the memories are fresh. I also remeber how Gamini used to entertain his friends such as Dm Jayarathne, Jeyaraj Fenandopulle, S. B. Dissanayake and Mahinda Rajapaksa in Deputy Speaker's office although they belonged to the opposition. I remember Gamini appealing to Ranjan Wijerathne on behalf of his opposition friend's security matters.
My thoughts go back to pur A/L class at Ananda College nearly 40 years ago. I was in the same class with Basil Rajapakse, Rajitha Senarathne, Bandula Padmakumara and Ananda Wickramasinghe, the present Consul General for Sri Lanka in California. I was the only one who took part in any sports activity out of four of us. I played for the soccer team with Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa who is an eminent epidemiologist in New Jersey today. We had Ananda Jayathilake who played for the Ananda cricket team and Tissa Ekanayake who was a cadet and an athlete. I played soccer and did athletics. Bandula Pathmakumara even then was involved in film industry and I remember him winning a competition for young journalists conducted by the "Wisithura" newspaper.
Sarath Fonseka was my roommate and we became very close to each other. He was a born leader even then and could function extremely well under tremendous pleasure. In a short period of time, after joining Ananda from Dharmasoka college, he became the sergeant of the Ananda Cadet platoon and led his platoon to a glorious victory beating Royal - a formidable opponent. He was also an exemplary swimming captain who brought so many accolades to Ananda College.
I personally think that through competitive sports, we test ourselves, mould our character and learn more about who we are. These lessons do not always come easily. Sometimes we win; just as often we lose. After all sports merely reflect life. Sports teach the aspect of teamwork to achieve the same goal. It makes you not worry about what you are doing. It teaches you to work together to get done what needs to be done. I think that is what Sarath Fonseka did in defeating the LTTE terrorism.
This morning I read a statement by the President of Sri Lanka referring to General Sarath Fonseka ' a fool!" As a friend of Sarath Fonseka, as a patriot who was involved in anti LTTE activities for over 30 years and above all as a Sri Lankan, I take umbrage for this irresponsible and unbecoming statement, coming from the head of state of Sri Lanka. In a democracy even if we do not agree with our opponent, we have to respect his right to harbor any opposing views. If we do not want others to contest against you, why do we hold elections and also call them free and fair elections?
In 1970's I attended a meeting for Mahinda Rajapaksa and listened to a speech by Prof. Vinnie Witharana and came home galvanized by the idea of electing young men to the parliament. After a resounding victory of the SLFP, Mahinda Rajapaksa became the youngest MP of the parliament. I was truly happy for two reasons. First of all he was the brother of Basil Rajapaksa, who was my classmante at Ananda College. He was also a close friend of late Gamini Fonseka, who subsequently became a dear friend and virtually a mentor and father to me.
Gamini Fonseka had a property in Weerawila called "Senasuma" and he was unable to get a telephone connection as he had campaigned for the UNP during the 1970 elections and it was Mahinda Rajapaksa using his influence who got the telephone for this facility. In his usual way Gamini never forgot this favour and continued the frienship until his death.
In 1989 Gamini contested the Matara district on the UNP ticket and I ran the campaign for him. During the campaign and even after the victory Mahinda rajapakse used drop in at our Matara residence/office on his way from Beliatta to Colombo. Those were dangerous times as there was a huge threat against candidates of all parties. I still remember how on the first day of our Matara campaign a UNP supporter called "Kalu Mahaththaya" was murdered in Wimal Weerawansa's hamlet. All these things happened 20 years ago and yet the memories are fresh. I also remeber how Gamini used to entertain his friends such as Dm Jayarathne, Jeyaraj Fenandopulle, S. B. Dissanayake and Mahinda Rajapaksa in Deputy Speaker's office although they belonged to the opposition. I remember Gamini appealing to Ranjan Wijerathne on behalf of his opposition friend's security matters.
My thoughts go back to pur A/L class at Ananda College nearly 40 years ago. I was in the same class with Basil Rajapakse, Rajitha Senarathne, Bandula Padmakumara and Ananda Wickramasinghe, the present Consul General for Sri Lanka in California. I was the only one who took part in any sports activity out of four of us. I played for the soccer team with Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa who is an eminent epidemiologist in New Jersey today. We had Ananda Jayathilake who played for the Ananda cricket team and Tissa Ekanayake who was a cadet and an athlete. I played soccer and did athletics. Bandula Pathmakumara even then was involved in film industry and I remember him winning a competition for young journalists conducted by the "Wisithura" newspaper.
A friend of Sarath Fonseka and Basil Rajapaksha over 40 years writes a open letter
(Lanka-e-News 24.March.2010 8.00AM)
Hello my friends,
This morning I read a statement by the President of Sri Lanka referring to General Sarath Fonseka ' a fool!" As a friend of Sarath Fonseka, as a patriot who was involved in anti LTTE activities for over 30 years and above all as a Sri Lankan, I take umbrage for this irresponsible and unbecoming statement, coming from the head of state of Sri Lanka. In a democracy even if we do not agree with our opponent, we have to respect his right to harbor any opposing views. If we do not want others to contest against you, why do we hold elections and also call them free and fair elections?
In 1970's I attended a meeting for Mahinda Rajapaksa and listened to a speech by Prof. Vinnie Witharana and came home galvanized by the idea of electing young men to the parliament. After a resounding victory of the SLFP, Mahinda Rajapaksa became the youngest MP of the parliament. I was truly happy for two reasons. First of all he was the brother of Basil Rajapaksa, who was my classmante at Ananda College. He was also a close friend of late Gamini Fonseka, who subsequently became a dear friend and virtually a mentor and father to me.
Gamini Fonseka had a property in Weerawila called "Senasuma" and he was unable to get a telephone connection as he had campaigned for the UNP during the 1970 elections and it was Mahinda Rajapaksa using his influence who got the telephone for this facility. In his usual way Gamini never forgot this favour and continued the frienship until his death.
In 1989 Gamini contested the Matara district on the UNP ticket and I ran the campaign for him. During the campaign and even after the victory Mahinda rajapakse used drop in at our Matara residence/office on his way from Beliatta to Colombo. Those were dangerous times as there was a huge threat against candidates of all parties. I still remember how on the first day of our Matara campaign a UNP supporter called "Kalu Mahaththaya" was murdered in Wimal Weerawansa's hamlet. All these things happened 20 years ago and yet the memories are fresh. I also remeber how Gamini used to entertain his friends such as Dm Jayarathne, Jeyaraj Fenandopulle, S. B. Dissanayake and Mahinda Rajapaksa in Deputy Speaker's office although they belonged to the opposition. I remember Gamini appealing to Ranjan Wijerathne on behalf of his opposition friend's security matters.
My thoughts go back to pur A/L class at Ananda College nearly 40 years ago. I was in the same class with Basil Rajapakse, Rajitha Senarathne, Bandula Padmakumara and Ananda Wickramasinghe, the present Consul General for Sri Lanka in California. I was the only one who took part in any sports activity out of four of us. I played for the soccer team with Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa who is an eminent epidemiologist in New Jersey today. We had Ananda Jayathilake who played for the Ananda cricket team and Tissa Ekanayake who was a cadet and an athlete. I played soccer and did athletics. Bandula Pathmakumara even then was involved in film industry and I remember him winning a competition for young journalists conducted by the "Wisithura" newspaper.
Sarath Fonseka was my roommate and we became very close to each other. He was a born leader even then and could function extremely well under tremendous pleasure. In a short period of time, after joining Ananda from Dharmasoka college, he became the sergeant of the Ananda Cadet platoon and led his platoon to a glorious victory beating Royal - a formidable opponent. He was also an exemplary swimming captain who brought so many accolades to Ananda College.
I personally think that through competitive sports, we test ourselves, mould our character and learn more about who we are. These lessons do not always come easily. Sometimes we win; just as often we lose. After all sports merely reflect life. Sports teach the aspect of teamwork to achieve the same goal. It makes you not worry about what you are doing. It teaches you to work together to get done what needs to be done. I think that is what Sarath Fonseka did in defeating the LTTE terrorism.
| After my school days for the first time I met Basil Rajapaksa at the funeral of Rajitha Senarathne's father. He gave me his visiting card and we started exchanging greeting cards. We strated talking to each other very often when he was living in California. He has been always graccious to me and his wife Pushpa Rajapaksa has helped me in an official matter when she was the legal officer at the UDA even without knowing that I was a classmate of Basil. (At that time I too did not know that she was basil's wife.) I have tremendous respect for both of them and I would never utter a bad word against them because there is no reason for me to do that. even today when people bring up unsubstantiated allegations against them, I defend them to the hilt. If the presidential candidate was Basil Rajapaksa, I may not have taken sides during the last presidential elections. I also must say a speacial word about that wonderful human being Ananda Wickramasinghe, who is the Consul General for Sri Lanka in California. Although I never had any contacts with him until November 2009 after leaving school I know what an honorable gentleman he is. It saddens me to think that I am on the other side now. However, he should have been our ambassador here in Washington as he has all the qualities that is needed in the tactful art of diplomacy. I sincerely wish the President would restore the honor of this august institution that represents our beloved motherland, Sri Lanka by sending him here. I really do not remember Gotabhaya Rajapaksa or Dudley Rajapaksa in school. Neither of them took part in any sports activities and unless they have been in your class it is hard to remember them. I have spoken to Gotabhaya via a video conference at a gathering for "Api Wenuwen Api" and also at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, DC. I hear that Dudley is a wonderful gentleman who never throws his weight around. If the President needs loysl people, Dudley Rajapaksa should be a candidate. We started this anti LTTE activities in the US nearly 25 years ago. I have never seen this present representative taking part in a demonstration or contributing a penny for the anti LTTE campaign. Shakespeare said that some are born great and some get greatness thrust upon their heads. For Jaliya, this job was thrust up on his head and with his meekly smile and his love of being photographed with powerful people and also paying for journalists to write hosannas about him has become his passion. Well, we can understand the psychology behind it - for a man whose service was terminated at MJF exports for misappropriation and also once deported from the United States this is an absolute honor - especially when he has not even passed his GCE A/L exams! Then we have his second in command who has once been the ambassador to Israel. Now he plays the second fiddle, disgracefully to cement his life here. We are determined to deal with these two as they only discredit our country. I also wish to write a few words about wonderful people such as Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera who was a superb soccer player at Ananda and also went on to play for Sri Lanka. He is contesting in Amapara district and I only wish him well in whatever career he chooses. I feel sorry that I missed his lovely daughter Sulochana's wedding although I was in Sri Lanka during that time. The other people who were involved in sports activities at Ananada College such as present DIG PKP Pathirana, DIG SarathChandra , the Commandant of the STF, Jayantha Alwis, Major General Gamini Goonasekera, AVM Channa Gunaratne and Col. Lalith Gunaratne are a few names that come to my mind. When I was there in Sri Lanka during the last presidential campaign I organized the old Anandians get together at General Sarath Fonseka's office and about 500 Anandians attended. At the conclusion when we sang " Jaya Jaya Anandapa Matha" I cried shamelessly. An old Anandians get together was organized by the President's campaign a few dates later. Many people confided to me that they too were invited. My response was " please attend!" and those were General Fonseka's instructions to me. This letter is not written as an apolgy to the President of Sri Lanka. General Fonseka will never apologize because he never committed anything wrong. Neither would I because I never did anything illegal by taking part in General Fonseka's campaign. Whether the President of Sri Lanka choose to pardom him or not, it is his prerogative. However I want to tell this. President Rajapaksa"s baseless statements agains a man incacerated has no value. We have fought against the LTTE for 30 years using our own resources. We will continue to do that for General Fonseka until we die. We are not frightened. Further you are challenging the UN and IMF in Sinhala and in English, you plead with them. We will not allow you to get the second installment of the loan from the IMF. Your ambassador and his deputy have no clout here in Washington, DC although the ambassador has surrounded himself with some people who change the color of their neck tie and embrace whoever is ambassador who will be on duty - whether he represents the UNP or the SLFP. This Prof. G.L. Peiris - I have met him three times here in Washington, DC representing three different administrations and three different opinions. I do not know which view of his to be accepted or believed. This legal eagle has become a shameless person. This was the same person who wanted to compromise our HSZ's! Today he has become the legman for our president and if Ranil becomes the President he would be the first man to somersault into his administration! I have tremendous respect for Mr. Champika Ranawaka but if he thinks that UN has no right to scrutinize a member nation. If that is the case Sri Lanka should leave the United Nation. If the Executive President does not respect the judiciary we as citizens of Sri Lanka should have a place to go. That is why we have chosen the UN to lobby our grievances and ask for redress. Mr. Ranawaka, what have you got to say about the police overriding the judiciary - as you know that Maj. Gen. Sunil Silva was arrested although he was granted anticipatory bail by the judiciary? I have been Sarath Fonseka's friend for over 40 years and we have been true friends to each other. When Jaffna was threatened under Kumaranathunge government he appealed to me on behalf of Maj. Gen. Gamini Hettiarachchi to supply certain items. I did that - as a matter of fact I air lifted them and that helped the army to repel the LTTE terrorists. I did that at my expense. When he became the Commande of the army I did not even try to supply a towel to the army. I still remain a poor person here who doesn't even own a house although I have lived here for over 20 years. Sarath and I have never discussed business although we have been extremely close friends. I am really proud that I took part in his campaign and I know he meant well for Sri Lanka. I will never give up my exercise to expose the injustices committed in Sri Lanka against this war hero. I do not want Sri Lanka to become another Iran or Burma. Sincerely, |
| Sanath de Silva |
Monday, March 29, 2010
Jackson who stooped most rewarded best with a 'kuttiya' of Rs. 56 lakhs
There are reports that Actor Jackson Anthony has tried to collect a sum of rupees 200 million on the propaganda deal to popularize the SL image internationally .
According to information reaching Lanka e news, Jackson Anthony has presented his image popularizing program to the President.
Jackson Anthony has asked for a sum of Rs. Six million as an initial payment for this program. However, the Treasury has refused to make this payment in the present difficult circumstances. But, overriding the Treasury, on the orders of the President as the Finance Minister , a sum of Rs. 56 lakhs have been released to him , it is learnt.
Jackson Anthony was a leading Speaker among the stage and screen Artistes at the President’s election campaign. He has also written to the newspapers extolling the President.
Jackson Anthony was a lucky beneficiary of a Rs. 10 million loan from a Bank for the production of the film ‘Aba’. Besides, his advertisements of it were done by the State Rupavahini free of charge. The Rupavahini also telecast speeches of President and Ministers recommending filmgoers to see 'Aba'.
It is to be noted that even award winning films did not receive such State patronage via the Rupavahini. At the Sirasa Awards ceremony, 'Aba' was not able to reach anywhere close to the highest level films, and received no special awards, despite all the unilateral State patronage .
According to information reaching Lanka e news, Jackson Anthony has presented his image popularizing program to the President.
Jackson Anthony has asked for a sum of Rs. Six million as an initial payment for this program. However, the Treasury has refused to make this payment in the present difficult circumstances. But, overriding the Treasury, on the orders of the President as the Finance Minister , a sum of Rs. 56 lakhs have been released to him , it is learnt.
Jackson Anthony was a leading Speaker among the stage and screen Artistes at the President’s election campaign. He has also written to the newspapers extolling the President.
Jackson Anthony was a lucky beneficiary of a Rs. 10 million loan from a Bank for the production of the film ‘Aba’. Besides, his advertisements of it were done by the State Rupavahini free of charge. The Rupavahini also telecast speeches of President and Ministers recommending filmgoers to see 'Aba'.
It is to be noted that even award winning films did not receive such State patronage via the Rupavahini. At the Sirasa Awards ceremony, 'Aba' was not able to reach anywhere close to the highest level films, and received no special awards, despite all the unilateral State patronage .
Govt.‘s aim and ambition to accelerate General’s death keeping him in jail: Poya day poojas for General’s health –Anura Kumara Dissanayake
| JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated on the 28th that the General’ s health has deteriorated: he is having breathing difficulties and speech problems. His wife could not decipher what he was speaking and his voice was also beyond recognition. Dissanayake charged that the Govt.‘s design and desire is to accelerate his death by indefinite incarceration and blame on natural causes. Dissanayake made this announcement when addressing a media briefing at the DNA leader General Sarath Fonseka’s office yesterday. Why has n’ t a specialist been summoned by the Govt. and Gen. Fonseka attended to,? he asked. While taking legal action against this Govt.’ course of action and staging protests, special poojas have been organized across the entire country today 29th (poya day) to invoke blessings on Fonseka and for his recovery, Dissanayake added. | ||
| ||
| Q Your allegation that the Govt. is trying to kill Gen. Fonseka by natural causes is a serious one ? A Why, in the place where he is kept in custody even the windows are shut with planks. The Bogambara prisoners on the other hand, get a better treatment, they are allowed to be in the open for two hours. He is not even given that facility. Because every effort made by the Govt. to punish him turned futile, it is taking revenge by these methods. Earlier Prabhakaran tried to kill the General through a suicide bomber and failed. Now, is n’t this Govt. trying to accomplish what Prabhakaran failed? Anoma Fonseka also speaking on the occasion, said, when she went to see the General on the 28th morning, the day of the meeting, his cough has aggravated and he was experiencing breathing difficulties. Daughters told him to take treatment promptly. I have already explained that following the suicide bomber’s attack, his body is embedded with shrapnel, and his lungs are affected due to the proneness for phlegm accumulation. Yet no medical services have been provided so far. Jayantha Katagoda … We do not approve this type of treatment meted out to the Army Commander by the Govt. under any circumstances. The country, people, the President and his Govt. are living in peace today because of him. He created the environment of peace for them. But, this Govt. is creating the worst environment and making life hell for him by inflicting all the sufferings and harassment. Why is specialist medical treatment not provided to the war Hero who freed the country from terrorism, who is the leader of the DNA political party, who is the Colombo District Candidates’ group leader? We totally condemn and denounce the Govt.’s ruthless and ungrateful attitude, he noted. |
Govt. supporters forcibly paste election posters on Assist. election Comm.’s vehicle!!! –thank lawlessness or the Govt. for these violations?
| The alarming proportions lawlessness in the country has reached and the open election law violations practiced by the ruling party with impunity was clearly demonstrated yesterday (28) when the Assist. Elections Commissioner’s car was pasted with a number of election stickers of a Govt. politician by a group of his supporters forcibly. This incident occurred when the elections officer was going home after work at about 8.30 p.m. on the Sri Jayawardenapura Parliament route. | |
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Akon saddened by Sri Lanka uproar
| Singer Akon on Wednesday said he was disheartened Sri Lanka planned to deny him a visa to perform on the Indian Ocean island nation, after Buddhists angered by a video he appeared in staged a violent protest. Akon's international booking agents, American Talent Agency, said in a statement they had postponed the show until the safety of both the performers and fans could be guaranteed, but were working to secure a new date. On Monday, hundreds of rock-throwing protesters attacked the headquarters of Sri Lanka's largest private broadcaster, which was the media sponsor of Akon's planned April concert in the Buddhist-majority nation. Four people were injured. The protesters were apparently angered by the "Sexy Bitch" video by French DJ David Guetta featuring Akon, in which a statue of the Buddha on top of a building appears briefly in the background as dozens of scantily dressed women dance near a pool. "I was not aware that the statue was even on the set of the video until now. I would never set out to offend or desecrate anyone's religion or religious beliefs," Akon said in a statement. On Tuesday, the government said it would deny Akon a visa to enter the country as a result of the religious uproar. "I myself am a spiritual man, so I can understand why they are offended, but violence is never the answer and I am disheartened," Akon said. | |
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