M.I.A. on Sri Lankan Regime Change: ‘Same Government With Different Face': Watch

By Philip Cosores

M.I.A. has long been a vocal opponent of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, claiming he needs to stand trial for war crimes committed in the country. So, you would think his defeat in elections would be a good thing, but the rapper claims the new regime is just the “same government with different face.”

In an interview with Channel 4 in the U.K., M.I.A. (real name: Maya Arulpragasam) goes in depth on the state of affairs in Sri Lanka, as Maithripala Sirisena takes over power in the country.

Channel 4 notes that Sirisena is a “one-time ally [of Rajapaksa] and also the acting defense minister at the end of the civil war.”

Related: Hear M.I.A.’s Remix of Beyoncé’s ‘Flawless’

M.I.A. points out that the new government in Sri Lanka “includes politicians who have been involved in government for the last 30 years.” Indeed, if that was the face of change, it is hard to take the change very seriously.

Watch the full M.I.A. interview below.

Read more on Radio.com

• Chris Martin, Willie Nelson, Ed Sheeran, Usher to Perform at All-Star GRAMMY Salute
• Watch 2 Chainz Try to Convince Nancy Grace That Legalizing Pot is Good For the Economy
• M.I.A. on Sri Lankan Regime Change: ‘Same Government With Different Face': Watch
• Kevin Gates Deletes His Old Instagram Posts After Cousin Sex Scandal
• Judge Orders Iggy Azalea’s Ex to Stop Leaking Her Early Music