Mervyn The Megastar
By Raisa Wickrematunge
Mervyn Silva
Whether he’s tying Samurdhi officials to trees, attacking state TV stations or interrupting Parliamentary proceedings, there’s definitely one word to describe former Deputy Minister for Highways, Mervyn Silva- entertaining. It is perhaps for this reason, that he is a panel judge on the Swarnavahini talent contest, “Megastar.”
In light of his recent political antics, Silva has been stripped of his portfolio, which was Deputy Minister for Highways. Previously, he was the Deputy Minister for Mass Media and Information. To his credit, Silva took his portfolio with zeal, saying he would be readily available to the media at any hour, day or night. There was somewhat of an outcry at the decision to appoint him, though, and he was soon removed from the post.
Now, he is no longer a Deputy Minister at all. Upon his entry into Parliament on Tuesday, however, many from the Government side rose to shake his hand.
Despite this courtesy, it is clear that Silva’s actions are being tolerated less and less, with the Speaker politely requesting him to leave the Parliament session on Tuesday.
Silva is still an MP. And, at least, he still has Megastar.
What do other judges, MPs, and participants on the show think of Silva? Are they willing to continue working with him, now that tolerance levels appear to be lowered?
“I do condemn his actions thoroughly, and I have told him directly, they are unacceptable. He always brushes it off with a joke. He is very witty,” says fellow judge and MP Rosy Senanayake.
Senanayake said she had only been told that a member of the Government would be on the panel as well, to provide balance. She only discovered that the Government representative was none other than Mervyn Silva, on walking in to tape the first show. However, she added “We sit in the same cafeteria in Parliament, so I can’t understand why I wouldn’t work with him on Megastar. I treat everyone as equals.” She said that as she had made a promise to Swarnavahini, and as the people relied on her judgment, she continued the show. Megastar judge and popular musician Rajiv Sebastian said “You don’t necessarily have to be a good character to be a judge. Silva is unbiased in his critique, he gives marks according to his opinions. So I think he shouldn’t be removed just because of his political character.”
It was a different story with actor and Opposition MP Ranjan Ramanayake. “In the very beginning, I told Swarnavahini I can’t take part, because Mervyn is a judge. He is not a suitable judge to be on the board,” said Ramanayake. He opined that perhaps the board at Swarnavahini was under external pressure, and so took on Silva to alleviate the situation.
Participant UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said “I’m not a decision making person on the show. I don’t like what he’s doing politically. I hammer him on politics in Parliament. But I don’t connect his actions to this reality show.”
So though most disapprove of his actions politically, they have no beef with Silva continuing on the show.
Many viewers seemed to have the same opinion. “It’s entertainment,” said Subramaniam, a Tamil businessman, “I don’t see why he should not be on the show. He might be controversial when it comes to politics, but he is pretty entertaining on the show.”
Meanwhile, Managing Director Jeevaka Edirisinghe, when contacted by the Leader, requested us to speak to the Programming Director Buddhika Kulasekara instead. Kulasekara was not in his seat when the Leader tried to reach him. The consensus appears to be the same, for the most part. Whatever Silva’s political transgressions, he certainly is entertaining!
Clergy Petitions For Mervyn!
Around 1500 Buddhist clergy from Gampaha held a convention at the BMICH on Friday. The clergy sent a signed petition to President Rajapaksa demanding that former Deputy Minister for Highways, Mervyn Silva, be reinstated to his post Silva lost his portfolio shortly after tying a Samurdhi official to a tree for failing to attend a dengue prevention meeting
Raisa, you say he is entertaining but do you know that it is called ‘cheap entertainment’. So he fits the bill in shows like that TV show. If Rosy said, he was witty, I am afriad, that suggests how easy it is to entertain people like Rosy. So by having such people like Rosy and Mervyn as our representatives, what development are we talking about? To add insult to injury, there are other people like Paba in the parliament as well.
how about malini fonseka, (geetha k, anarlkali although not in parliament but with the rogue party), kehelmala rambutan valla, duminda, johnniya, SB, minimaru ratwatte, boruwanse etc.
Ruwan, How could you compare Rosy to Mervyn???
Rosy was a beauty star but she also a intelligent and talented active, look at the stars like Sanath, he plays cricket in IPL, England and never doing anything for the constituents.
It was so stupid to compare Mervyn to Rosay??
Mervyn has at least done something to his electorate to his level of understanding, roads etc but what has Rosy done? She has been a councillor for a while now. Walking with protestors and looking pretty, is that enough? When people don’t appreciate their own ‘vote’, and cast it because she is beautiful or he brought the world cup to SL, etc, it will continue to be a sad story, I mean the politics and the governance of the country.
M. Raja’s latest: Mamai MAGODIS malliye mamai Magodis… 123
Marvin has enough qualifications to sits on ‘Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’ (LLRC)’. Come on MR give him a appoint letter to chair LLRC. He is one of the suitable candidate to chair LLRC.
Now MR will appoint Merwyn to honor the 1500 Clergy.Dengue is more important than Merwyn, so the movie is worth to be screened. Well done MR, Merwyn , Clergy and all the actors.
The monks are very correct. The Government Service in SriLanka is extremly inefficient and corrupted. We have enough examples to prove that.
Palipana, Did the monks come to know about government services inefficiency only after Mervyn episode? Premadited drama of MR. MR cannot affored to sent Mervyn home just like that because MR owes him plenty. So created a cheap drama like the boruwanse farce. Involved monks here so the majority will keep shut and endose what the sanga says. Story Screenplay Direction & Production by MR & Bro Co. Ltd. (the richest family in Srilanka. Courtesy – Tsunami / LTTE / Black money & other various Indian funds.
Look like Monks are only there to serve and protect SLPF coalation governments in the country. Had it been UNP made decesion to make Airport and Harbour in Hambantota the same lot of corrupt monks would protest and death fast on street all over Sri Lanka.
banda let them loose and got what he deserved.
Piss off to the monks.
If they actually think that what Mervyn did was by any means correct, then these monks should be de-robed and not worth the robe that they wear.
Monks should try to lead and preach by the Dhamma…not get involved in all these political views/lobbying and be used as puppets.
I doný have any regard for the monks now…It is another sad day for Buddhism…unfortunately initiated by the monks themselves…Shame on the clergy…The senior monks MUST make a ruling and draw the line..
The ruddy monks must all be locked up..It is none of their business to get involved …Least of all to support an idiat like mervyn after what he did.You don’t need to be a monk to realise that what mervyn did was inhuman…and these monks are trying to lobby for him..shame on the monks.
Get lost you silly monks…..How can you;ll even support Mervyn after what he did,,you’ll are not worth the robe you wear..If you’ll are so keen, then de-robe and become common civilians and then protest..Don’t abuse your robe for the wrong reasons and disgrace the religion that you try to preach.
Disgraceful!!
Jaya this is a very objective and stern word to those who use their religious calling to take sides. I agree with you – leave the robe and talk.
well said Jaya. U hit the nail on the head. Most people dont have the guts to say this!
Monks save Silva what about Budu sasuna
Journalists-Tax Guys-watch this drama-there is something FISHY in the whole business of Mervyn Silva being removed from the Ministry-
This looks like a big bluff by he and his very important partner-
The drama seems to be like a cover up on big game!
Why should 1500 Buddhist priests sign for this guy if he is a JOKER!
I am a very familiar person to pansala and piriwena during my young ages,The villagers brought alms(dana) and I too used to eat dana. at that time I couldn’t find government servents in my village and there were some teachers including my parents.
Now the GOSL maintains a huge quantity of government service. Practically i could prove that this service highly un-productive, In-efficient and corrupted. Our Nation has to pay taxes to maintain these people. I am sure the monks know better than any other how the poor villagers find their day-to-day means and how they they prepare a precious dana to the pansala monthly or any other village plan.This is the real situation in SriLanka and this is the time to standadise the Government service
Raisa Wickrematunge = Is she part of the Wickramatunge family (Lasantha et al)?
Nadiya are you a freaking doushebag. Think you moron. Seperation of Government and Religion. Without this the country is doomed. Singapore is an example where Lee Kuan Yew told the clergy to stay put in their temples and churchs. This what the article is all about.
Nadia – You always talk cock and bull stories?
all this to change the direction from SF TO OUR DEAR DOCTOR.Well done,we except an ocar for the Director who has done a great job.
I agree with Subramaniam, Marv is a good entertainment
This mega star is not a quality show.Playing for gallery….so Mervyn is the most suitables man with poor taste.
1500 monks? looks more like 10 child monks to every adult monk….looks dodgy to me
yes, the old baldies play with the young boys after a bottle of arrack! High percentage of monks get into this racket to get out of poverty! Most of them don’t follow buddha’s teaching…they just do it to get the freebies! What a racket!
get rid of the damn monks! they are the curse of Sri Lanka! They should be confined to the temples and banned from politics!
This is the sad inteligence level of the Sri Lankans,
As long as Mervin entertains it is OK for him to be a Judge of this program.
Is Rosie wearing clothes when she sit with him? She has no shame. I guess she like her kids to look at Mervin and be like him.
Idiots do not understand these are the role models their kids look up to. People who appear in TV should have good moral character.
But what do you expect even the crap TV in SL have no moral character. Showing crap everyday. I lived in SL for One year and I did not watch TV ever.
It is that disgusting.
I feel sad for the people who watch this crap and all I have to tell you is get a life, read something or spend time with your kids. You are killing yourself by watching crap TV in Sri Lanka. It is so bad so poor it is despicable.
At least learn and copy good TV channels in the world.
Mamai MAGODIS malliye mamai Magodis… – MR
I don’t understand the mentality of these buddhist clergies. Despite all the wrong doings of Hon. Mervyn these buddhist clergies are now campaigning to re-instate Mervyn in the post. The buddhist clerlgies are dumbfounded on the actions taken against Gen. Sarath Fonseka despite his sacrifices to redeem the country from the clutches of the Tigers. What a country is this?
raja parayata hora ganu supplier thami mu.
Mr.Deen, nobody wants to speak any single word against the retention of Gen.Fonseka. this is a very sad situation.
The necessity of reinstating our badu supply kolla does not arise. He is tipped for a full-fledged cabinet portfolio or for that matter the Prime Minister in November. Keep your fingers crossed!!!