Thursday, 5 September 2013 00:57
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The Government yesterday apologised to the public “marriage proposal” made by Minister Mervyn Silva to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.
Minister Dullas Alahapperuma told a press briefing that it was wrong for such a comment to be made and so he apologised on behalf of the Government.
“Pillay’s age is just two years less than that of my mother. How do you think I will feel if someone makes a marriage proposal to my mother? That is wrong. So I want to express regret on behalf of the entire Cabinet,” Minister Alahapperuma said.
He also said that under the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the issue of the abuse of women is also addressed. “This is not an attempt to score points with anyone. This is just wrong,” Alhapperuma emphasised.
Minister Silva had recently openly proposed to Pillay saying he is ready to marry her in order to keep her in Sri Lanka and show her what the country has to offer.
Speaking at an event in Maradana the Minister had said that although he is over 40 years old, his body still works like his hands.
“If Muslims can marry four women, what’s wrong in me marrying one more woman? We also should have a small chance,” the Minister said in the presence of Buddhist clergy at the event.
Minister Silva said that the UN Human Rights Chief should learn more about Sri Lanka’s history and not attempt to critisise the country without knowing the facts.
(Colombo Gazette)
