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Labor minister freed after apologizing for his aide's behavior

Sri Lankan Labor Minister Mervin Silva's unidentified bodyguard, right, is surrounded by police as he tries to leave the office of the state-run television station Rupavahini in Colombo yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Staff at Sri Lanka's state television broadcaster yesterday released a minister they had taken hostage after his aide manhandled their director, company officials said.

Non-Cabinet Labor Minister Mervyn Silva was released after he apologized for the incident.

Silva entered the premises of state-owned Rupavahini earlier yesterday complaining that his speech at a ceremony the previous day to reopen a bridge destroyed by the 2004 tsunami was not aired.

His aide then dragged the news director out of the newsroom, tearing open his shirt. The broadcaster's irate staff then hemmed the minister and his entourage into a small room, and would not let them leave, demanding an apology.

"If my action is considered as a wrong act, I would like to apologize to the employees," Silva said.

Sri Lanka had sent a crack commando unit to the state-run television station yesterday to rescue the government minister.

Un-edited footage broadcast over the state television showed army officers and police escorting Silva out of the usually tightly guarded building located within a high security zone of the capital.

Police anti-riot squads were moved to the station while heavily armed commandos dressed in body armour and wearing hard hats moved in to the premises while unarmed officers rescued the minister amid jeering by rebellious staff.

"The minister is being held in an office by the staff," the television said earlier in a statement broadcast while interrupting regular programming.

The minister was escorted out after being held for more than two-and-a-half hours, the station said adding that the high drama was a "tremendous victory" for the media in the country.

Silva was forced to apologize to the staff in the presence of an army of cameramen and press photographers while his son made similar pleas for mercy as employees turned boisterous.

One of the bodyguards accompanying the minister was roughed up by staff before television cameras despite tight police protection.

Police announced over the television that they "arrested" Silva's son who had taken part in the alleged assault and urged employees to remain calm.

Silva's son had earlier been ordered by a court to stay away from night clubs after several brawls.

Police and politicians were shouted down as Media Minister Lakshman Yapa tried to pacify the employees. Yapa condemned Silva's storming the station and assaulting journalists.
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