Journalists accuse President Rajapaksa and the government of not taking any action against the controversial minister

Five media organisations, opposition politicians, trade unions, Buddhist clergy and political activists joined the protest in Colombo on 08 August.

The protest was triggered by the recent attack by Minister Silva and supporters on Sirasa television journalists on Monday in Kelaniya.

Attack on Sirasa

The police are yet to arrest any suspect despite the attack, in which journalists’ video equipments were stolen by the assailants, was recorded in video tapes.

Sri Lanka working Journalist Association (SLWJA) accused President Rajapaksa and the government of interfering with the investigations against Minister Silva.

	The Labour Minister is accused of many attacks against media

General Secretary of the SLWJA, Poddala Jayantha, accused ministers who openly criticised Minister Silva’s attacks of failing to speak up at vital government meetings such as Cabinet sessions.

The Free Media Movement (FMM), meanwhile, accused police spokesman of being supportive of Minister’s continuous attacks on journalists.

SSP Ranjith Gunasekara has told journalists that Sirasa team should not have video recorded the event in which Minister Silva took part as he protested against it.

Police 'support attacks'

“Journalists have a right to take photos in public photos. He either doesn’t know the law or support Minister’s attacks,” FMM spokesman Sunanada Deshapriya told BBCSinhala.com.

We call upon the president and the government to cage this stray dog August4 movement

Saman Ratnapriya, convenor of the August4 movement, said President Rajapaksa and all ministers should take the responsibility of Minister Silva’s attacks.

“We call upon the president and the government to cage this stray dog,” he said.

The controversial minister is accused of continuous attacks against journalists over the last few years during President Rajapaksa and President Chandrika Kumaratunga administrations.

Both presidents are accused of protesting him despite repeated calls by journalists and rights activists to bring him to justice.