Sri Lanka prez orders W Cup song to be banned

Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse on Wednesday ordered a ban on a World Cup song that carries a latent threat to defending champions Australia and New Zealand.

The Sinhalese and Tamil mix song warns the Kangaroos that they will end up as bird food, while the Black Caps, who on Tuesday woke up to the shock news of an earthquake back home, could have their jaws broken.

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The song further adds a warning to the English team, cautioning them of harsh treatment that is going to be so severe that even the roof of the Queen's palace would rattle.

Rajapakse, who is believed to have heard the song during his visit to Hambantota to witness Sri Lanka play Canada in their opening game, ordered an immediate withdrawal of the song from all state-sponsored radio and television channels, an official revealed on the condition of anonymity.

"The president was shocked by the lyrics, which were insulting to other cricket-playing countries.

"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 official said.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has, however, distanced itself from the entire episode saying that the song was the initiative of a private company which is sponsoring the national team.

Some channels have already complied to the orders, accepting that the song is in bad taste and catches the country red-faced.

The co-hosting nation of the showpiece event along with India and Bangladesh, has already irked fans after banning music and placards at match venues.