Jan 10, Colombo: A controversial Sri Lankan minister implicated in the murder of a ruling party local council member in his electorate has annulled all his political appointments after two of his appointees were arrested by the police over the murder.

Minister of Public Relations Mervyn Silva Wednesday revoked all the political appointments he had given to his subordinates in Gampaha district and ordered them to return their identity cards to his Ministry.

Issuing a statement, the Minister had declared that with effect from January 09, 2013 all identity cards issued to the coordinating secretaries, advisers, organizers and all other political supporters in the Gampaha District under his directions are revoked.

The Minister has said he had given such appointments to his political supporters for the benefit of the public in development and political activities but he had come to know through media that some are using their positions to carry out unscrupulous activities that tarnish his good name.

However, all such appointments have been cancelled now and the Minister has requested all such officials to immediately hand over their official identity cards to the Ministry of Public Relations at 302, Galle Road, Colombo 4.

The police arrested two of his coordinating secretaries for the murder of ruling party councilor of Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha, Hasitha Madawala, who was gunned down near his residence by two men on a motorcycle on Saturday.

The Chairman and the members of the local council has accused the Minister for the murder as there was a simmering conflict between the local council and the Minister.