The monks who gathered at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) said Dr. Silva's tying of a government minister to a tree was not intentional.

Prof. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Nayake thero, the Chancellor of the Sabaragamuva University strongly criticised those who described the incident as taking law into the minister's hands.

There used to be an era in which the law of the jungle prevailed. Kotikawatte Saddhatissa thero was shot dead in the temple moments after offering beetle. That was when we had law of the jungle Prof. Kumburugamuve Vajira Nayake thero

"There used to be an era in which the law of the jungle prevailed. Kotikawatte Saddhatissa thero was shot dead in the temple moments after offering beetle. That was when we had law of the jungle," the Nayake thero said.

The president of All Sri Lanka Bhikku Association added that the controversial former minister has done a remarkable service to the Buddhist temples in Kelaniya and all over the country.

Commenting on the tying the official to the tree, Prof. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Maha Nayake thero said the "emotional action" by the minister was intended only at safeguarding the Sri Lankan public from dengue fever.

He also admitted that the Buddhist monks supported the war against the Tamil Tigers though it was a known fact people would die as a result.

Support from Croydon Temple

"We only thought about the end result. Our aim was to achieve peace," he said.

Pahalagama Somarathana Nayake thero, the Secretary of the Kelani sector of Siyam Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of Thames Buddhist Vihara in Croydon in United Kingdom, said if one considers the main reason for punishment, Dr. Silva's "small incidents" he should be pardoned "thousand times".

	Journalists have been regularly protesting threats by Dr. Silva

The controversial minister was earlier assaulted by the workers at Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) as a group led by the minister allegedly assaulted a senior journalist at SLRC.

The government pledged a swift investigation but no one has been ever charged or found guilty.

A number of workers who protested against the controversial minister were later assaulted, sliced with razors and intimidated.

He is also accused of continuous threats against media.

President Rajapaksa later appointed him as the deputy minister in charge of media an action described by the RSF as "appointing an arsonist to put out fires."

He was later appointed as the deputy minister in charge of Highways, a portfolio that comes directly under President Rajapaksa.