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Journalists protesting against Deputy Minister’s threat to journalists and media organizations . Pic- Buddhika Weerasinghe.
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Colombo, 28 July, (Asiantribune.com): The Free Media Movement including five mainstream media organizations demonstrated in front of the Colombo Fort Railway station yesterday condemning the use of abusive language and threats to journalists and owners of two media organizations by United People Freedom Alliance government’s Deputy Minister Mervin Silva.
Mervin Silva’s son, Malaka Silva, was involved in an attack on the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officers who raided a five-star hotel last Saturday night. One Police officer’s lips were split open by the attack. Mervin, the Deputy Minister too was reported to be in the hotel where his son was merry-making with his unruly mates.
Two days later Police Chief, Chandra Fernando, announced the release of Malaka Silva and his mates saying that there is no evidence. This has shocked the PNB officers who were the victims of the attack and had lodged a written complaint with the Police. Media reported that the Police were under pressure not to work hard on the case.
Police launched surprise raids on hotels where the kids of the rich and the powerful get high on drugs. One teenage is now in remand for killing another teenage girl recently on the stairs of her flat. He is reported to have been on drugs.
A PNB officer condemned the Police Chief’s statement. He said that the PNB officers had entered the hotel with a warrant. They were doing their duty when they were attacked by the Deputy Minister’s son. PNB officers were concerned that Malaka Silva and two others were released on police bail without even being produced in court.
In his attempt to defend his son, Mervin Silva abused the journalists in filth and stated that he knows what to do with the owners of Sirasa and Swarnawahini – tow privately owned media outlets.
One journalist said: “This is Chandrika’s style of justice. How can she run a government and restore law and order when her Minister’s sons are let loose like maniacs. If they are allowed to attack the police whom will they attack next? She runs around like a chook without a head blaming everyone of corruption and inefficiency when she herself cannot keep proper order in her own kitchen.”
Journalists demanded a proper inquiry into Mervin Silva’s threat to the journalists. A Sinhala journalist remarked: “The son attacks the Police and the father attacks the journalists. This is a good combination not to run good government but to run an underworld drug ring.”
Demonstrating journalists rallied under the banner of Free Media Movement, Sri Lanka Working Journalist Association, Sri Lanka Tamil Journalist Alliance, Sri Lanka Muslim Journalist Association and Federation of Media Employees Trade Union.
The Free Media Movements yesterday issued press statement strongly condemning the behavior of Labor Deputy Minister Mervin Silva on 25/7/05 where he used abusive language to threaten journalists and owners of a number of media organizations. Journalists also appealed to the leader of the United People Freedom Alliance to take action against the Deputy Minister so that this kind of behavior by politicians is discouraged.
- Asian Tribune – |
