Sri Lanka's president slams concert featuring Hollywood star

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday slammed the organizers of a concert staged in the capital last week featuring Latin born Hollywood star Enrique Iglesias.

The president said that the Enrique Iglesias concert staged in Colombo had a negative impact on the local culture and tradition.

He noted that the Dec. 20 concert saw some girls removing their undergarments and throwing it towards the singer while one girl got on stage and kissed him.

The president also expressed his displeasure at liqueur being served free to those who purchased the most expensive tickets.

Tickets were sold at between 50 and 350 U.S. dollars for the concert but fans who purchased the 350-dollar tickets were unhappy at the facilities provided to them.

President Sirisena accused local authorities of failing to make proper inquiries before the concert was given go-ahead, adding that in future he will take measures to ensure such events are not approved.

"I need to say these things. As a Sinhalese Buddhist I cannot refrain from expressing my views. I will speak out when our traditions and culture is harmed," he said.

The president said that usually locals will beat up the girls for their behavior at the concert but he feels beating should be given to the organizers.

Sirisena said that some people organize events for the sake of making money but fail to understand not everything is about the money. Enditem