President Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva to resign his portfolio and Mr. Silva is reported to be sending his resignation after the disciplinary inquiry against him is concluded, the Daily Mirror learns. A senior Cabinet Minister said President Rajapaksa had asked the controversial minister to resign on August 4 last year during the opening of the SLFP branch office at Gampaha.

“He is still to carry out the presidential request but acts the part of an artful dodger. He avoids meeting the President at UPFA functions such as yesterday’s May Day rally,” the senior Cabinet Minister said.

There have been several complaints against Minister Silva receiving wide media coverage such as when Rupavahini Corporation was invaded and employees attacked in December 2007; tying up a Samurdhi officer to a tree in Kelaniya in August 2010; boasting of attacking a senior journalist and making him flee the country and remarks that no one could touch him as long as President Rajapaksa is President.

Several disciplinary inquiries initiated by the SLFP drew a blank with the latest being the three-member disciplinary committee headed by senior lawyer Champani Padmasekara and comprising Saliya Mathew and P.P. Mendis to inquire and report on allegations against the maverick minister made by Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Prasanna Ranweera.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka