Controversial Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva is being probed for alleged extortion of money, acquiring land illegally and interfering in the work of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha, it was revealed yesterday.
The probe is being conducted by Minister Maithripala Sirisena who is also the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP). He would report on the findings to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told the Sunday Times.
Mr. Ranatunga said he had called upon the Commissioner of Local Government to appoint a committee to probe matters relating to interference in the working of the Pradeshiya Sabha. On Thursday, a majority of UPFA members of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha held a news conference to protest against Minister Silva’s conduct. They levelled a series of charges against him.
The investigation came after the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha members appealed to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to provide them with security so that they could carry on their work without being intimidated.
The Pradeshiya Sabha members have accused the Minister of extorting money, interfering in the local council administration, illegally acquiring land and misusing of funds. The minister has vehemently denied the allegations and in turn accused the PS members of being involved in corruption and plunder of public funds.
Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Prasanna Ranaweera said they were compelled to come out openly as people had complained to them about the minister’s extortion of money and other unlawful acts. “There are instances where money is extorted from traders though the council had permitted them to carry on their business in the stalls after tender process. The minister intervenes and collects money from traders,” Mr Ranaweera charged.
He said they were used by the Minister to pelt stones at demonstrations.
He also charged the minister had forced Pradeshiya Sabha members to pelt stones at antigovernment demonstrators.
In response, Minister Silva said the allegations were baseless and the party would have to decide on what action to take against whom.
“I too have allegations against these people and if you come to my office, I will show you a file full of these allegations,” he said.
Yesterday a group of Buddhist monks met the minister at his office in a bid to resolve the dispute between him and the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha members.
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