Concerts featuring international stars face a bleak future in Sri Lanka with a major local promoter temporarily shelving such plans until local conditions showed a vast improvement. The nation's premier concert promoter, Raynor Silva, told Sunday Times he was left with no option but ditch Smokie's concert in September due to the present uncertain situation.

Smokie were due to play at Water's Edge on September 23 as part of their tour of India. Mr. Silva, who also promoted all-time great Cliff Richard's only Colombo concert, said there was a strong likelihood of fans being unable to attend this concert due to security concerns.

The managing director of ABC Radio, which controls the Home of All-Time Hits, Gold FM, also said plans to bring down other major international stars have also been pushed to the back burner for the same reasons.

Among other acts pencilled to visit Colombo in the next few months were Shakin' Stevens, Paul Young and the Bellamy Brothers. Several other singers were in intense negotiations through their respective agents.

Another show in danger of missing their date in Colombo is the biggest Bollywood concert ever to leave the shows of India. However, the door has yet to be shut on this project.