Recently appointed deputy media minister Mervyn Silva finally informed the media today that he is resigning from his media portfolio.
At a press conference held at the Ministry of Mass Media and Information this evening Minister Silva who was given a second deputy post as the deputy minister for highways said after consulting intellectuals to compare the two portfolios he decided to take the Highways Ministry.
He said the academics and intellectuals he consulted told him that Highways portfolio gives him a better opportunity to contribute cross-functionally and it is an area where he will be able to fulfill a bigger national responsibility.
The deputy minister who is known for his aggression towards media and journalists during the previous government said he had a 10-point Strategic Plan to develop media personnel which included provision of housing, enhancement of welfare and overseas training.
However media organizations heavily criticized the government for his appointment to the Media Ministry despite Minister Silva’s assurance that he would work with the media together.
“In what country do you appoint an arsonist to put out fires?” Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) asked after learning of Minister Silva’s appointment as the deputy minister of media and information.
source:LankaPage.com