Aug 31, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today said the special disciplinary committee, appointed by the party to inquire into former deputy minister Mervyn Silva's action to tie a Samurdhi officer to a tree, has found Silva not guilty.

SLFP General Secretary and Minister Maithripala Sirisena has told the local media that the disciplinary committee has found Silva not guilty over the incident of tying a Samurdhi official to a tree at the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha as a punishment for failing to attend a dengue program.

Minister's actions sparked island wide protest from Samurdhi officers and brought condemnation from fellow ministers as well as from opposition.

Following the uproar resulted from the incident President Mahinda Rajapaksa removed the controversial minister Silva from his deputy ministerial portfolio and suspended his party membership as well.

It is not yet known whether Mervyn Silva will be given his ministerial portfolio back.