Dec 27, Colombo: A group of thugs led by the notorious government Minister Mervyn Silva has barged in to the newsroom of the State owned TV station Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation this morning and assaulted the news director.

Mervyn Silva who is the Deputy Minster of Labour , has reportedly led the attack blaming the TV corporation for failing to cover an event that he took part as the chief guest recently.

Following the attack, the employees of Rupavahini have beset the Minister and his thugs and locked them up in the Chairmen’s room. The Minster has claimed that he did not commit any offence but betrayed his supporters who continued the assault after him.

Police Special Task Commandos who have been called in to provide security for the Minister and his gang, Senior Police and Army officers evacuated the Minister and his supporters to their vehicles amidst hooting of the crowd gathered at SLRC premises.

However, angry employees beat up the Minister when police commandos were trying to evacuate him to his vehicle. According to the hospital sources Minister’s injuries needed five stitches on them.

Meanwhile, employees of Rupavahini demanded the Minister to make a public apology for his misconduct at the largest media institution in the country.

Mervyn Silva is a Colombo District MP who has yet to be elected by the people. However, successive People Alliance governments have taken him to the parliament through national list despite his alleged connection with underworld and drug dealings. Recently he was convicted by courts for fraud.