12.8.2008

The Free Media Movement (FMM) says that the rogue government Minister Mervyn Silva organized a protest against the MBC network's Sirasa television station in Colombo on 11th August 2008.

Around one hundred men, women and children were bussed in to the city centre from the Minister's constituency of Kelaniya. The protest was given wide publicity by all state media justifying the allegations made by the Minister against the private media station in their commentary and reportage.

Amongst the Minister's demands was a ban on the private Sirasa TV station. Sirasa TV coverage has consistently covered the Minister's violence against the media, most notably the attack against the director of the State-owned TV Rupavahini in December 2007. For this, the Sirasa station has borne the brunt of the Minister's wrath, with journalists who covered the incident repeatedly abused and violently attacked at public functions.

Supporters of the Minister at the orchestrated rally in Colombo shouted slogans that said they were the indomitable force of the President and alleged that the Sirasa television station is pro-LTTE.

Political observers say the minister is emboldened by the support of President Rajapaksa and his government turning a blind eye to his roguish behavior. They say the minister brings the party to disgrace by his thuggish actions.

courtesy - cp