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Govt. apologises for Mervyn’s indecent proposal

5 September 2013 05:53 pm - 45     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government for the first time conceded that the marriage proposal made by Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanetham Pillay was indecent. Admitting that such a proposition should not have been directed at a top UN diplomat, the government expressed its regret at the remarks made in poor taste.

Youth Services and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahappaeruma addressing the weekly news briefing of the UPFA at the SLFP Headquarters told the media yesterday that he was disappointed and regretted the utterances of Minister Silva, as it went against the norms of cultural and religious values of the country.

“Ms Pillay is only two years younger than my mother; how would I feel if someone made a similar suggestion to my mother? We are a highly civilised and disciplined nation with a great culture and civilisation. Therefore, I apologise for his mischief on behalf of the Cabinet,” Minister Alahapperuma said.

This was the first time the government responded to this issue, as Ministers at various press briefings declined to comment or give a direct answer when journalists pressed them for the government’s response.

The Daily Mirror on August 28, reported the marriage proposal made by Minister Silva to Ms Pillay who was on a week-long fact-finding mission in the country.

 “I urge her to join me on a trip around the country. I would teach her the history of Sri Lanka - I would tell her about Maha Ravana. It was us who gave Kuveni in marriage to Prince Vijaya and if Madam Pillay is agreeable I am ready to marry her even tomorrow,” Minister Silva had reportedly said. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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  Comments - 45

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  • riaya fassey Saturday, 07 September 2013 05:33 AM

    Government has not so far punished him for his lunatic activities. So he will continue and disgrace the government and the country. What a shame!

    ANTON Friday, 06 September 2013 06:13 AM

    WHAT ?????

    xlntgson Friday, 06 September 2013 06:17 AM

    Did the bride place an ad seeking a married groom, his wife's consent apart?

    MAHESHE Friday, 06 September 2013 07:23 AM

    WHAT ANOTHER MINISTRY ????????? GET RID OF THIS KALAKANNI ABSURD SCOUNDREL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 06 September 2013 07:48 AM

    Dont insult Andare, Andare never made jokes at the cost of causing disrespect, insult and disgrace to his country, guests or people. This is because Andare was civilised and from good culture and not bought up like a bastard. Andare's freinds were also not bastards. You know what I am getting at?

    CP Friday, 06 September 2013 11:06 AM

    This type of things happen when certain people adopt "Let go method" for their ulterior motives.

    CP Friday, 06 September 2013 11:14 AM

    Where are those patriotic ministers who shout even for a "loud sneeze" that would tarnish the image before international community.

    Godaya Friday, 06 September 2013 11:56 AM

    He is a such a pervert he is quite capable of proposing to your mother,think he has prposed what are you going to do about it over to Alahaperuma

    Jagath Friday, 06 September 2013 12:05 PM

    Dr MS is trying to be Richard Geare = indecent proposal

    nanayakkaran Friday, 06 September 2013 12:05 PM

    You have to apologize before she left from country. Now too late. Send a apology letter to her.

    Labby Saturday, 07 September 2013 05:07 AM

    Tending an apology is not a big issue. What action will the general secretary of the party take against Mervyn Silva for his unwarrented utterances? What will the government itself do about this ?

    Andrew Pitugala Saturday, 07 September 2013 05:16 AM

    Govt will gladly acept the suggestion so that another UNPer can cross over.

    Hobbes Friday, 06 September 2013 05:00 AM

    Dullas, could you please use your skills to develop Mervyn's skills of diplomacy which are underdeveloped like everything else about him..!

    Mason Saturday, 07 September 2013 06:38 AM

    Why does not the donkey who said it not apologizing ? Is Dulles Allahapperuma his stool-pigeon.

    DAVID Saturday, 07 September 2013 07:23 AM

    WHO CARE HIM AND HIS PROPOSAL BECAUSE INTERNATIONALY HE IS A WELL KNOWN THUG.

    old citizen Saturday, 07 September 2013 07:43 AM

    Mervin proposes Dallas disposes

    jamal Saturday, 07 September 2013 07:53 AM

    Did government punish the offender ?

    Janaki Kalansooriye Saturday, 07 September 2013 09:18 AM

    Sorry Raiya. The Govt does not know how many times it has disgraced the country. So, jointly, the government and its ministers will continue to disgrace our country, in its single-minded bid to stay in power for life.

    Apsara Saturday, 07 September 2013 10:43 AM

    I feel all this scenario is pre-planned one to put down Pillay morally during her feet on SL.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 07 September 2013 12:36 PM

    So far neither the Vermin nor any of his cabinet colleagues has apologised for the lewd remarks the so called PR Minister made on one of the lady contestants (who also happens to be a MP) during a public TV reality show when he referred to her anatomy in a disparaging way. It is really sad that organizers of such shows appoint this sort of cheap characters as judges.

    bas Saturday, 07 September 2013 01:38 PM

    100% agree. Before they give army leadership training for others they should trained in a camp to behave themselves as entitlements.

    bas Saturday, 07 September 2013 01:42 PM

    is Dallas the new laundryman of SLFP.What will happens to poor Keheliya's job?

    ishan Sunday, 08 September 2013 12:58 PM

    A Man propose a woman in marrage. Is it a human rights vialation??

    priya Friday, 06 September 2013 04:21 AM

    Mr. Silva should chase out from the ministry. Why President still keep him. He don't have any class.

    lapas Friday, 06 September 2013 01:29 AM

    Govt: should set up a separate Ministry to control his abnormal activities & Statements

    Cobra Friday, 06 September 2013 01:32 AM

    For how long is the govt. going to cover up for this and why are they keeping him oblivious to the slime that emanates from him at every turn?

    CHANDRAPALA Friday, 06 September 2013 01:43 AM

    Ministers and parliamentarians need a code of ethic. His unethical behavior badly affect to the countries image. Expressing of concern is not enough.

    Premalal Friday, 06 September 2013 01:50 AM

    The government has taken their time over it. It would have been much civilized to do it personally to the lady. Every one in the government seem to be very slow on the uptake.

    OMG Friday, 06 September 2013 02:04 AM

    Meryn must be holding a position higher than that of the President.

    He can speak and do anything and everything he wants.

    CEEDEEBEE Friday, 06 September 2013 02:22 AM

    Why was Silva not made to make his own apology?

    MagodisThuma Friday, 06 September 2013 02:24 AM

    Without doing laundry work...
    tell the country... the secret reason keeping this Idiot in the Govt offering a minister post !

    CHC Friday, 06 September 2013 03:49 AM

    That would have been a super combination.....!!!!

    BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 06 September 2013 04:00 AM

    No need to apologise bcos the world has begun to understand the attitudes, arrogance and culture of the sinhalese from 1983 riots onwards.

    Yehiyaxxx Friday, 06 September 2013 04:00 AM

    President already apologies,what your business.What about your comments.This all not your weakness.Who voted there weakness. End is country image. Every weakness diaspora gaining.

    ANTON Friday, 06 September 2013 01:10 AM

    I DON'T THINK MARRIAGE PROPOSALS ARE INDECENT,
    DULLAS IS JEALOUS.

    shanthapriya Friday, 06 September 2013 04:22 AM

    simple . cause the govt think that they must have an andare( antient time joker) to please the public

    Hesh Friday, 06 September 2013 04:23 AM

    Only in Sri Lanka do we need someone to apologise to the public for the antics of the MINISTER FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS!!!

    peter Friday, 06 September 2013 04:28 AM

    MR cannot hear, see, smell all these things...

    peter Friday, 06 September 2013 04:29 AM

    Mervyn Silva should apologise not Dullas!

    Asanka Friday, 06 September 2013 04:34 AM

    My Dear People of this country, this is another Drama by this GOV. Suddenly why only this Statment, many accused her as LTTE stooge and on payrole, why not those too. in her Statement she said atleast 3 Ministers behaviour was disturbing and that she felt hurt..

    This is just first Episode of long run TELEDRAMA...

    jeyarajah Friday, 06 September 2013 04:34 AM

    How many times ministers have apologise for Mervins indecent behavior.Hon. minister always talking about his matrimonial matter and I think some think wrong with his wife and thus he is searching every where even the old lady PIllai.

    Roshan Friday, 06 September 2013 04:47 AM

    Govt should force Mervyn to apologise not the Minister behalf of him.

    Dharmasiri Friday, 06 September 2013 04:48 AM

    This can be another case of tying somebody to a tree by himself. Minister Mervyn would get another promotion and I am truly feel sorry for Minister Dullas for whatever the consequences he will have to face for apologizing on behalf of innocent Minister Mervyn for something he has not done...

    Terrence de Silva Friday, 06 September 2013 04:56 AM

    MARRY HIM TO A TREE

    Hobbes Friday, 06 September 2013 04:57 AM

    He is guilty of attempted bigamy by his own admission and should be charged accordingly.

    Wonder what his wife thinks of all this!


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