CID grills SLRC officials

by Jayantha Sri Nissanka
The government has launched a witch-hunt against senior officials of Rupavahini who rebelled against the Labour Minister Mervyn Silva’s antics within the premises of the Rupavahini Corporation, exposing his political thuggery via a live telecast.
The CID has questioned top Rupavahini officials over the live telecast of last Thursday’s mayhem in the premises of the national television channel. Rupavahini officials have been questioned as to why other media networks were allowed into the premises to report events which unfolded after the notorious SLFP strongman in Kelaniya, Mervyn Silva allegedly assaulted the News Director of Rupavahini, T.M.G.Chandrasekara over not reporting a speech Silva delivered at the opening of Mahanama Bridge in Matara. Although the antics by Mervyn Silva accompanied by his underworld thugs were shown live to the nation, police are yet to take action against the notorious politico who is synonymous with thuggery.Colombo Chief Magistrate, Macky Mohammed on Friday expressed strong displeasure over the failure of the police to act against the culprits in this regard. Instead of pressing charges against Mervyn Silva, the CID on Friday grilled senior officers of Rupavahini throughout the day, over who authorised the live telecast of the incident.LAKBIMAnEWS learns that the government was planning to interdict many employees who took part in the ‘gherao’ protest against Silva.The Ministry of Media and Information has found fault with senior officers and had called for an inquiry, Rupavahini senior officers told LAKBIMAnEWS. The Ministry has blamed top officials for the live telecast and warned that they would pay dearly for bringing the Government to disrepute by telecasting the mayhem uninterruptedly until Minister Mervyn Silva was evacuated by a contingent of Army Commandos.A senior government Minister was furious over allowing Sirasa Rupavahini to telecast the incident live from the Rupavahini premises —- and allowing other Media to cover the incident.
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