‘Whites only’ party blacklisted after social media outrage

An attempt to host a “whites only” party yesterday at a foreign-run establishment down south has been cancelled by organisers following a fierce public backlash on social media.

The event had been billed as an “Opening White Party” with music by DJs from Russia and the UK. Posts advertising the party noted that the organisers would implement “face control.” The term refers to a policy in upscale nightclubs and other establishments where entry is regulated by subjective assessments of a person’s appearance and social status. The organisers had noted that face control at the party would be “white.”

Unsurprisingly, the move by a group of white people to host a “whites only” party in Sri Lanka came in for widespread backlash. There were calls to shut down the venue where the party was due to be held, and to fine or deport those who were organising it. The venue where the party was due to be held subsequently issued a statement distancing itself from the event, saying it had severed ties with the organisers of the event. A person claiming to have been part of the group who organised the party also tendered an apology on social media, stating that he admits the idea of a white party was “originally a bad idea.”

Some social media users are not satisfied and have called on authorities to investigate the background of those who planned the event and the venue where it was due to be held. The Sunday Times has repeatedly highlighted how foreigners are operating untaxed, unregulated ventures around the country.