Minister Silva is accused of many attacks and threats against media

"In what country do you appoint an arsonist to put out fires?" questioned Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on the appointment of Dr. Mervyn Silva as the new deputy minister for media.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed his new cabinet of 37 ministers and 39 deputy ministers on Friday.

No minister was appointed in charge of media and information.

Dr. Silva is a controversial minister accused of many attacks and intimidation against journalists and media institutions.

'Serious doubts'

In 2007, he was attacked by the workers at state-run Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) after a group accompanying the minister assaulted the news director at the SLRC premises.

The ruling party's victory in the parliamentary elections is being marred by this kind of appointment, which is casting serious doubt on its ability to carry out reconciliation and reconstruction RSF statement

Though the government pledged a thorough investigation and disciplinary action against Dr. Silva, the disciplinary committee appointed by the ruling party is yet to come out with a verdict.

A group of SLRC employees were later attacked, stabbed and intimidated. Some of them fled the country.

Minister Silva has also pledged to the court not to intimidate any journalists from Sirasa/MTV private media station, against which he is accused of continuously making threats.

"The ruling party's victory in the parliamentary elections is being marred by this kind of appointment, which is casting serious doubt on its ability to carry out reconciliation and reconstruction," RSF said in a statement issued on Monday.

The watchdog also notes that the appointment comes at the time the government shows a "considerable hostility towards press freedom".

'Balanced reporting'

"The defence secretary put a great deal of pressure on TV stations and websites not to provide live coverage of opposition leader Sarath Fonseka's speech at the opening of the new parliament on 22 April," it said.

	Minister has admitted that he was 'a bit obstinate'

Many senior journalists have already fled the country and there is still no clue about the whereabouts of the disappeared journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, it pointed out.

But Dr. Silva said that he would do his utmost to protect reporters.

He appealed to reporters at a press conference in Colombo on Tuesday to produce "balanced reporting".

"When I watch some channels they always show the holes in the roads but never show the repaired ones - please show the repaired roads," he said.

Saying that he salute the president "for showing his straightforwardness" by his appointment, the minister did not categorically deny the accusations against him.

"Those days I was a bit obstinate; if anybody tried to touch my cheek I never allowed to do it. But I will turn the other cheek and I will still smile and enjoy."