The Hon Andrew Giles MP,

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs,

Parliament House,

Canberra, ACT 2600,

Australia.

Dear Minister,

Request to Prohibit the performance of Iraj Weeraratne in the "Legends are Back -Australia Tour" live Concert. 

We, the undersigned, respectfully submit this petition to request your immediate attention and action regarding the upcoming live concert titled “Legends are back - Australia Tour” featuring singer and political aide, Iraj Weeraratne. We firmly believe that this performer poses a serious threat to the principles of harmony, peace, diversity, and multiculturalism that Australia stands for.

Australia has long been regarded as a bastion of multiculturalism, diversity and tolerance.  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on numerous occasions, has emphasised that “diversity is strength and tolerance is natural “. Within this context, we express our concerns about Iraj Weeraratne’s involvement in this concert.

Iraj Weeraratne has a well-documented history of espousing racist, ethnonationalist views and promoting hate through his social media channels and YouTube videos.  His Islamophobic and politically motivated rhetoric not only undermines the values of inclusivity and acceptance but also has the potential to sow seeds of hate amongst different communities residing in Australia.

Furthermore, Weeraratne’s active participation in aiding ethnonationalist political projects in Sri Lanka, particularly in support of the ousted ex-president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, raises significant concerns.  Rajapaksa’s rise to power was fueled by a campaign based on communalism, which resulted in social divisions and ultimately led to an economic crisis in Sri Lanka.  Weeraratne’s active involvement in promoting this campaign and creating a positive image for Rajapaksa demonstrates his alignment with diverse ideologies that are contrary to the principles that we hold dear.

In addition to his political affiliations, Weeraratne has a troubling record of perpetuating hate and discrimination against the LGBTQIA community. His song “Mathinta (Api UNP)” which has gained millions of views on various platforms, contains lyrics and imagery that perpetuate anti-LGBTQIA sentiments.  At a time when transgender communities face hostility and violence; the popularisation of such rhetoric is deeply concerning and further contributes to an unsafe environment for vulnerable individuals.

We also wish to draw your attention to the organic social media protest, #BoycottIraj, which has gained significant traction within Sri Lankan communities in both Sri Lanka and Australia. The widespread use of this hashtag and the accompanying posts serves as a testament to the widespread resistance against Iraj Weeraratne's performance.

Permitting an individual with Weeraratne's track record to perform in Australia would not only undermine the ideals of diversity and multiculturalism but also perpetuate hate and division among the communities residing in this nation.

We wholeheartedly express our complete support for the prohibition of Iraj Weeraratne's performance, and we urgently request that immediate measures be taken to prevent his performance in Australia. While we understand that the organizers may have invested resources into the event, the intention is not to have it canceled. Our protest is specifically directed at Iraj Weeraratne and the potential danger his ideologies pose. We sincerely thank you for your attention to this matter and trust that you will take the appropriate steps to address our concerns. We remain hopeful that, through your actions, Australia's commitment to diversity, harmony, and peace will be upheld.

Thank you.

Yours Faithfully

Aus Lanka People’s Solidarity Group

Campaign For Democracy in Sri Lanka Australian Committee

Australian Advocacy for Good Governance in Sri Lanka (AAGGSL)

Movement For Equal Rights (MER)

Sri Lanka Janaza Scheme Western Suburbs

Melbourne Human Rights Forum