Sri Lanka has refused to issue a visa to R&B star Akon, who was due to perform there next month, saying he offended the country's Buddhists¹.

美国R&B歌星阿肯下月将在斯里兰卡进行演出，但是斯里兰卡拒绝给他颁发签证，称其冒犯了国内的佛教徒。

Akon was due to perform in the country in April

The ban comes after protests over one of the star's music videos featuring scantily-clad（穿得很少的） women dancing in front of a statue of Buddha²（佛像） .

A spokesperson for Akon said later that, due to the protests, the star had "decided³ to postpone⁴" his show.

They said they hoped to have the issue "resolved in the coming weeks".

In a statement, the government said the video for Sexy Chick by David Guetta, featuring Akon on vocals⁵, "triggered a lot of disappointment among Buddhists".

It added some of Akon's lyrics⁶（歌词，抒情诗） were not "suitable for public articulation⁷（清晰发音，关节） ".

Spiritual man

On Monday, hundreds of people stormed the head offices of the Maharaja Broadcasting and Television Network, the media sponsor of the planned concert.

Four workers were injured and windows and parked cars were smashed（粉碎） after protesters threw stones at the building.

"Considering the controversial video images, offensive song lyrics and strong protests coming from various cultural, religious groups and organisations in the country, the government was compelled（强迫，迫使） to take this decision," the government said.

Akon said he was "disheartened（沮丧的，灰心的） " to hear of the protests.

"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 desecrate⁸（亵渎，侮辱） anyone's religion or religious beliefs," he said in a statement.

"I myself 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 yesterday."

Akon's international booking firm, American Talent Agency, said it hoped to reschedule the concert after ensuring the safety of the singer and his fans.

Concert promoter Lasantha Samarasinghe said he would ask the government to reconsider its decision, adding that the concert would boost tourism and help the country's economy.