Controversial Sri Lankan minister threatens to break limbs of journalists and activists

A controversial Sri Lankan government minister has once again stirred the fears in journalists of Sri Lanka by threatening to "break their limbs" for being traitors to the country. Speaking during a protest in his electorate against the UN adopted resolution against Sri Lanka, the Minister of Public Coordination and Public Affairs, Mervyn Silva has openly threatened to harm the activists and journalists who voiced their opinion against the government in support of the resolution at the UNHRC in Geneva.
He has also admitted that he was responsible for forcing a journalist to flee the country two years ago. "I am the one who chased Poddala Jayantha from the country. He went because of me," Silva, who is known for his mordant statements, has declared at the public meeting. Claiming them as 'traitors' the Minister has in public warned the human rights activists Sunila Abeysekara, Nimalka Fernando, Sunanda Deshapriya, and Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu that he would 'break their limbs'. The activists have come under attack from Sri Lankan media and the government as well for speaking against the country at the UNHRC session in Geneva to support the US-sponsored resolution. "If you get caught to me in Sri Lanka, I will break your limbs in public. I say this responsibly. No matter who conspires against me," he has reportedly declared in public. The Minister's arrogant remarks come amid a warning by the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights Ms. Navi Pillay to the Sri Lankan government not to take any actions against on journalists and activists who spoke against the government in Geneva. The police spokesman Superintendent of Police Ajith Rohana has told the BBC that officers would now investigate the Minister's claims.