Journalists say it was the minister who invaded SLRC and assaulted them

Organisations representing journalists, trade unions and civil society organisations demonstrated in front of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) protesting the government moves.

Police Criminal Investigation Division's (CID) action to seize video tapes of the incident in which minister silva was assaulted by the SLRC workers is a clear indication that the government is trying to victimise journalists, they said.

'With drug dealers'

General Secretary of Professional Journalists Association Poddala Jayantha said it was minister Silva who invaded the SLRC assaulted its News Director, TMG Chandrasekara.

"We did not go to Mervyn Silva's house. It was Mervyn Silva who came to the SLRC with drug dealers and thugs," he said.

It is very clear that the government is trying to save thug ministers and victimise journalists. We challenge the government, punish the journalists, if you can Dharmasiri Lankapeli

Dr. Mervyn Silva was angry that the SLRC did not carry his derogatory remarks at a rally in Matara in which President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the chief guest.

In the presence of President Rajapaksa, minister Silva has made indecent remarks on former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Dharmasiri Lankapeli, General Secretary of Media Workers Trade Union Federation (MWTUF), said the authorities have stopped SLRC of publishing the videotape of the incident at evening news bulletins.

Mervyn Silva 'censorship'

"It is very clear that the government is trying to save thug ministers and victimise journalists. We challenge the government, punish the journalists, if you can," Lankapeli said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's political ally, Sinhala nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) also took part in the protest.

	Mervyn Silva has made derogatory remarks in the presence of the President

Hadigalle Wimalasara thero of the JHU urged Sri Lanka media to impose a censorship on Minister Mervyn Silva.

However, the thero accused the media of being part of the growing threats to the media by minister Mervyn Silva.

"When JHU monks were assaulted by Minister Silva, instead of condemning it, media enthusiastically carried the story," Wimalasara thero said.

The minister was accused of assaulting JHU Buddhist monks in the parliament as the House voted for the Speaker in 2004.