A World Cup song which
carries threats against
defending champions
Australia as well as
earthquake-hit New Zealand
has been banned on orders
of the Sri Lankan president,
states a media report.
The song warns that Ricky
Ponting ’s Australians will end
up as bird food while New
Zealanders, still reeling from
the Christchurch quake,
could have their jaws broken.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa
heard the Sinhalese and
Tamil mixed song and
wanted it taken off all state-
run radio and television
channels, an official close to
the president told AFP,
according to the report.
He also censured sports
authorities for allowing the
“ insulting” lyrics.
“The president was appalled
that the song was allowed in
the first place, ” the official
said.
“He felt the song was in poor
taste. What he wants is a
song to inspire the team and
fans and not insult other
nations. ” The president saw a
video clip of the song when
he turned up to watch Sri
Lanka play Canada at their
opening game at
Hambantota on Sunday
when the home side won by
210 runs.
A Sri Lankan cricket official
said the song was the
initiative of a private
company which was
sponsoring the national
team. Several private radio
and television channels have
also accepted that the song
was in poor taste and
stopped broadcasting it.
Sri Lanka, who are co-hosting
the World Cup with
Bangladesh and India, has
already run into trouble with
fans after banning music and
placards at match venues.
Following intense criticism,
police have relaxed bans on
placards, posters and
banners.
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