[14th October,2005 - 12:50 S.L.T)

Colombo high court judge Ms Rohini Perera yesterday (13) banned visiting the social clubs in the city after 7.00 p.m. This ban was imposed on Mr Malaka de Silva. He is the son of Deputy Minister Mr Mervin Silva.

Earlier Mr Malaka de Silva was discharged on a bail of rupees five lakhs on a charge against him filed by the National Narcotics Bureau. Mr Silva had played havoc at a raid in a Colombo club when the Bureau officials raided the place.

The magistrate has warned the accused for any repetition of the act at any club in the city. She has further stated that he would be taken into custody along with his counterpart cancelling the bail.

Deputy minister Mervyn Silva (photo KS Udayakumar)
Minister’s son is accused of assaulting police officers
Sri Lanka’s courts have ordered police to report on the progress of the investigations against a son of a deputy minister, who allegedly assaulted police officers.

Colombo Fort magistrate Sarath C Karunarathne also issued notice to Officer In Charge (OIC), Crime Branch, of the Colombo Fort police to appear before the courts on 05 August.

The magistrate issued the orders after reviewing a report by the police on the incident.

Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva’s son, Malaka Silva and two others were released by the police on bail on Monday without producing them before the courts.

The three were accused of preventing police from carrying out duty and attempting to shoot the officers who raided the night club in Taj Samudra Hotel on 24 July.

Police constable Lasantha of the Narcotics Bureau has been admitted to the hospital after the assault, police said.

Police Inspector (IP) Prabhath Balasingham has stated in his testimony that the police left the hotel to prevent any eventuality after they were assaulted by a drunken group.

But the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has told the journalists that there was no evidence to prove that the group led by minister’s carried any firearms.

It is believed that the police officers are angry about their chief’s remarks.

[26th September,2005 - 13:30 S.L.T)

According to an official of the Ministry of Labour, a sum of Rs 11,79,000 has been given to Deputy Minister Mr Mervin Silva, his son Mr Malaka Silva and his private secretary on last Friday for an official foreign tour.

He stated that Rs 639,000 was allocated for 3 air-tickets in Business class and a sum of Rs 540,000 for other expenses.

While the Deputy Minister and his son left on 24th morning and private secretary has left early morning yesterday, he further stated. They are scheduled to visit Jordan, Lebanon and United Arab Republic.