Kelaniya PS members want commission to probe Mervyn
Local government members in Kelaniya led by Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Prasanna Ranaweera yesterday requested President Ma- hinda Rajapaksa to appoint a commission to probe the activities of controversial Minister Mervyn Silva.
Mr. Ranaweera said he was prepared to appear before a commission and state his case against the Minister with all evidence. “I have all documents to prove the frauds in which the minister is involved in and I am prepared to hand over them to any commission,” he said.
He alleged the Minister was demanding ransom from businessmen in the area. He therefore requested the businessmen in the area not to pay ransom to any body. “Do not give money even to the Minister,” he told the gathering which comprised businessmen and street hawkers in the area.
Stating that there are 40 bars in Kelaniya from which the minister charged a fee on a monthly basis the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman vowed to clean up the area as soon as possible. He also alleged that the Minister was intervening in all matters of the Pradeshiya Sabha. “I am not allowed to call up tenders to hand over the stalls of the weekly fairs,” he said.
Mr. Ranaweera said he and the other members of the Pradeshiya Sabha who had come out against what he called the meanness in Kelaniya were now receiving death threats. “Minister Silva should be held responsible if something happens to us,” he said.
Mr. Ranaweera said they had informed President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the matter recently and he had assured that he would meet them soon for a discussion.
He said one could expect an incident similar to the one that took place at Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation if the minister fails to stop his forceful acts.
Peliyagoda Mayor Nihal Ananda who also addressed the gathering called for an amicable settlement to the confrontation. He therefore requested the traders to try and sort out their issues with the Minister through peaceful means.
Several attempts by the Daily mirror to contact Minister Silva failed.