Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena remained defiant after criticism over his call to whip the organisers of an Enrique Iglesias concert, declaring that he would continue to speak out if he felt “local values” were being harmed.
“I am severely being criticized for my statement on asking to appreciate local values,” said the president, adding that he was attempting to "preserve out culture". “I can’t allow people to walk around naked.”
He shrugged off criticism of his remarks that the organisers of the concert be "beaten with toxic stingray tails" stating he is not "being affected by those attempts".
Speaking at the award ceremony of National Crafts Council at “Ape Gama”, Mr Sirisena reminded the audience of his upbringing, stating “I am a villager who used to walk in the village paddy field and bunds”. “Therefore I act according to our values and with a clear understanding of good and bad," he added.
Earlier the president insisted that “as a Sinhalese Buddhist I cannot refrain from expressing my views. I will speak out when our traditions and culture is harmed”.
See our earlier posts:
Sirisena gets support from Rajapaksa-loyalist on whipping controversy (28 Dec 2015)
“I am severely being criticized for my statement on asking to appreciate local values,” said the president, adding that he was attempting to "preserve out culture". “I can’t allow people to walk around naked.”
He shrugged off criticism of his remarks that the organisers of the concert be "beaten with toxic stingray tails" stating he is not "being affected by those attempts".
Speaking at the award ceremony of National Crafts Council at “Ape Gama”, Mr Sirisena reminded the audience of his upbringing, stating “I am a villager who used to walk in the village paddy field and bunds”. “Therefore I act according to our values and with a clear understanding of good and bad," he added.
Earlier the president insisted that “as a Sinhalese Buddhist I cannot refrain from expressing my views. I will speak out when our traditions and culture is harmed”.
See our earlier posts:
Sirisena gets support from Rajapaksa-loyalist on whipping controversy (28 Dec 2015)
Sangakkara and Jayawardena apologise for concert after Sirisena condemnation (28 December 2015)
Sri Lankan president says Iglesias gig organisers should be ‘whipped' (27 December 2015)