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Iglesias concert still rocking Colombo
The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) says it is still waiting for the organisers of the Enrique Iglesias Sex and Love concert to submit a response to allegations of tax fraud.
The Enrique Iglesia’s ‘Sex & Love’ concert went ahead despite a letter from the CMC banning it. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
“I have not received any files from the company so far,” CMC Treasurer K.D. Chitrapala said.
Ahead of filing legal papers in court against concert organiser Live Events, founded by former Sri Lankan cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena, the CMC this week blacklisted the company from putting on any future concerts in Colombo.
Mr. Chitrapala said the decision to blacklist Live Events was made after careful study of alleged violations of CMC’s regulations.
“The event organisers have violated the laws of the council in multiple instances including the Entertainment Ordinance, Public Order Licence and the Municipal Ordinance.
The sole authority to take action over this is vested with the council – that’s why the ban came to effect,” Mr. Chitrapala said.
He said the organisers went ahead with the concert despite a banning letter being issued two days before the event after the council’s revenue officers allegedly detected tax revenue fraud at several ticket-selling counters, days before the event
Mr. Sangakkara and Mr. Jayawardena this week issued a statement on Facebook rejecting the CMC’s allegation of tax fraud.
The duo said Live Events was “transparent and ethical in all operations”.
“Live Events will continue to ensure full compliance with all relevant tax commitments and is providing all necessary information to the CMC, in order to clarify facts and the way forward. Accountability and integrity is paramount to us and we believe it to be the same for the organisers.” the statement said.
The CMC’s Treasurer told the Sunday Times that at the time promotion of the show started in the print and electronic media in early December Live Events had not obtained approval from the Public Performances Board (PBB) and had not reserved the CR&FC Grounds.
“It was only after the promotions kicked off that they reserved the grounds, got the permission of the PBB and came to the CMC to get the necessary approvals,” Mr. Chitrapala said.
Though the CMC gave the approval for the conduct of the show, they subsequently banned it two days before the show due to the non-payment of taxes.
The Public Performances Board said it issued a licence to hold the Sex and Love concert after the organisers produced the script of the whole programme including the lyrics of the songs to be sung by the popular Spanish singer, Enrique Iglesias.
“We went through all the content and there were no vulgar or inappropriate items included in the programme so we gave them approval,” National Censor Board Chairman Saman Athaudahetti said.
Some complained about the unlimited serving of alcohol during the concert but the Excise Department said it had granted permission to serve liquor inside the concert premises.
Excise Commissioner (Revenue) A. Bodaragama said the organisers had applied for and obtained a licence to serve alcoholic drinks. “There are thousands of applications reaching us for approval. We evaluate them and grant approval according to the law,” he said.
Mr. Sangakkara and Mr. Jayawardena, who are Board Directors of Live Events, have apologised to concertgoers over a number of complaints, saying a “suitable refund” would be paid irrespective of the loss to the company.
The concert had started very late and no adequate explanation had been given for the delayed start. People who had paid many thousands of rupees for premium seats had found their enclosure being gatecrashed by low-priced ticket-holders without proper action being taken by security staff.
One concertgoer has sent a letter of demand to Live Events for Rs. 22 million for “loss, damage and mental stress” experienced during the concert held recently.
Attorney-at-law Nishan Premathiratne complained that he and his wife had bought two Rs. 35,000 VIP tickets in the expectation of receiving VIP treatment but had been disappointed.
On a lighter note, cashing in on the worldwide publicity from President Maithripala Sirisena’s colourful criticism of a woman who threw her bra at Iglesias, a well-known Colombo fashion outlet this week invited customers who had lost their brassieres at the concert to buy new underwear from its showroom.
