Sri Lanka dumps 'insulting' WC anthem

Broadcasters in Sri Lanka have stopped playing a song backing the country in the Cricket World Cup after President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed his disapproval of the lyrics over fears that it might cause offence to other competitors.

Lyrics sung by young pop star Lahiru Perera reportedly upset Rajapaksa and a presidential aide said that the President was unhappy at taunts in the song against competing countries.

The song was launched in January at a glittering event attended by national cricket captain, Kumar Sangakkara, and cricket board officials.

It was billed as the "Official National Cheer" for the team.

"I only tried to include some humour as this is a song to encourage the team. I did not want to insult anybody," said songwriter Lahiru Perera.

Rajapaksa

reportedly asked state radio and television to stop broadcasting it. Private broadcasters told the BBC that they too have also ceased airing the song.

It has now been replaced with a new song sung by a veteran artist.

The pop video, which is mainly in Sinhala with a few Tamil words, also contains lyrics that might touch on religious sensitivities.

"Come on, come on," runs the song, urging supporters to raze West Indies coconut trees, break the jaws of sharks in New Zealand, melt the snow on Indian mountains, and feed bird food to kangaroos in Australia, the BBC reports

It promises that the Sri Lankan side will shake the roof of the "English palace" presumably Queen Elizabeth's residence and "will shatter the roof of heaven" with their sixes.