MP Mervyn Silva 'chief' patron of drug kingpins

28 September 2011

Leaked US embassy cables, state that MP Mervyn Silva was believed to be giving patronage to drug traffickers in 2009, along side his son, Malika Silva.

"According to a former Sri Lankan security services official, drug kingpins in Sri Lanka have political patrons in the government, chief among them Dr. Mervyn Silva, a Member of Parliament and the Minister of Labor."
"His son, Malika Silva, is suspected of trafficking the drug “ecstasy” in Colombo nightclubs."

A further cable drew attention to the wider culture of impunity within the Sri Lankan state, highlighting its failure to investigate or prosecution those accused of corruption whilst in public office.

"A government commission established to investigate bribery and corruptioncharges against public officials that resumed operations in 2004 continued through 2009, although with little activity."

"There are unconfirmed reports of links between drug traffickers and individual corrupt officials." 
"However, since late 2007, there have been no arrests of government officials on bribery or corruption charges related to drugs." 

According to the cables, in 2009, Sri Lanka experienced an increase in the consumption of heroin, cannabis and ecstasy.
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