Enrique show: Women throw bras, president fumes, cricketers sorry

Owners of entertainment company Live Events which organised Enrique Iglesias concert, have apologised for the chaos at the concert. The event was criticised by Sri Lanka’s president for indecent behaviour of women who attended it.

The entertainment company, Live Events, owned by former Sri Lankan cricketers Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, which organised the Enrique Iglesias concert on Monday in Colombo, have apologised for the chaos at the event. The show saw local women shed their underwear and came in for criticism from the country’s president.

Spanish singer and songwriter Enrique Iglesias is widely regarded as the king of Latin pop. He is the son of legendary Spanish singer Julio Iglesias. (Enrique/Facebook)

Live Events admitted that security “failed alarmingly” and apologised for the “negative experience” during the one-hour concert in Colombo on December 20. Fans had paid prices ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000 ($350) for tickets to the show which was part of the Spanish star’s world tour, Love and Sex.

Read: Nobody makes me feel the way India does, says Enrique Iglesias

They did not directly refer to President Maithripala Sirisena’s criticism that intoxicated local women had thrown their bras at the singer and kissed and hugged him.

“I don’t advocate that these uncivilised women who removed their brassieres should be beaten with toxic stingray tails, but those who organised such an event should be,” the president said on Sunday.

Sri Lankan commuters pass a billboard in Colombo on December 28, 2015, associated with a concert of the Latin popstar Enrique Iglesias. Live Events, owned by Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, admitted that security "failed alarmingly" and apologised for the "negative experience" during the one-hour concert in Colombo on December 20. Fans had paid prices ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000 ($350) for tickets to the show which was part of the Spanish star's world tour, Love and Sex. They did not directly refer to President Maithripala Sirisena's criticism that intoxicated local women had thrown their bras at the singer and kissed and hugged him.

Read: Enrique Iglesias comes out with India edition of Sex and Love

Sirisena did not name the two cricket stars, but it was widely known that the concert was hosted by a company set up recently by the pair after Sangakkara retired from international cricket in August.

Live Events said they were considering refunding fans who were disappointed due to delays in starting the concert and the ensuing crowd chaos.

Those who had paid for the most expensive tickets were said to have been dislodged by people who bought cheaper tickets as security and crowd control arrangements failed.

Read: I am a fan of Bollywood music, Enrique Iglesias

“Although we know an apology or refund cannot fully satiate your disappointment, we wish to reiterate that we remain fully committed to all of you and our country,” the cricketing duo said.

“A full and thorough internal inquiry is ongoing into all areas of concern.”

They also denied allegations that they had dodged paying local municipal taxes amounting to nearly Rs 30 million ($215,000).