Minister Mervin and goons attack Sirasa journalists in SL
Minister Mervin Silva's goons assaulted the Sirasa media crew that had gone to report the ceremonial opening of the second phase of the Jeyaraj Fernandopullai Memorial flyover in Kelaniya and seized the two video cameras they had right inside the venue of the function. As the cameramen were getting ready to record the declare opening of the bridge by Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, the Minister came there and ordered them to go away. Then the goons of the Minister came to the scene, assaulted the cameramen and seized their cameras. While a Police Superintendent was observing the incident, at least the police security personnel who were there for his security did not come to the rescue of the journalists. The two video cameras belonging to a Sirasa TV have been found in a nearby abandoned land, police say. Police spokesman, SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said that no arrests have been made so far regarding the incident. Supporters of Minister Silva assaulted Sirasa TV's Sampath Varuna and Deepthi Ranasinghe who went to cover the opening. Varuna is currently receiving treatment at Ward No. 72 of Colombo National Hospital. Minister Mervin Silva has not allowed the Sirasa Media Network to report the functions in Kelaniya since a long time. He threatened and chased away Sirasa journalists in several previous occasions as well. On 06.08.2008 General Secretary of the SLFP Maithripala Sirisena says he is not in a position to deal with his unruly ministerial colleague Mervyn <b>...</b>
attack on journalists Human Rights Mervin Silva MP Peace and Conflict Sinhala police Sri Lanka
