Dr. Mervyn Silva has accused the official of not attending meetings called to discuss dengue epidemic

Deputy highways minister Mervyn Silva has tied the Hunupitiya Samurdhi officer accusing the officer of not attending the meetings on controlling the dengue epidemic that has already caused over a hundred deaths during this year alone.

Sri Lanka has declared a National Dengue Prevention Week in this month as there have been over 21,000 reported cases islandwide.

Threats to media

The controversial minister, who is accused of constantly threatening media, has been verbally abusive to women officers who protested the minister's action, journalists say.

There are approved procedures to decipline government officials. This is inappropriate. In a time when the president is inviting those who are abroad to come and join the public sector, this is disheartening and will have a negative effect Secretary, Sri Lanka Administrative Services Association

Secretary, Sri Lanka Administrative Services Association DP Wickremasinghe told BBC Sandeshaya that the minister’s action is “unacceptable”.

“There are approved procedures to decipline government officials. This is inappropriate. In a time when the president is inviting those who are abroad to come and join the public sector, this is disheartening and will have a negative effect,” he said.

Minister Mervyn Silva was earlier appointed as the deputy minister of media by President Rajapaksa but later resigned Keheliya Rambukwella was appointed as the media minister.

Paris based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) protested the appointment questioning whether "in what country do you appoint an arsonist to put out fires?".

Dr. Mervyn Silva received over 100,000 preferential votes at the last parliamentary elections.