The remark made by TNA MP Govinthan Karunakaran that Ven. Ampitiye Sumanaratana Thera will have to be driven away from the Batticaloa District caused a mini uproar in Parliament yesterday.

He accused the Thera of assaulting a government servant. "The monk has assaulted a government servant and is known to be notorious. He will have to be driven out of Batticaloa if he continues to unleash violence," the MP said.

Govenment MP Mohammed Mussamil who responded said an MP cannot insult a religious leader under the standing orders. "I will prove that the MP violated standing orders" he said.

MP Wimalaweera Dissanayke who stood up said the comments made by TNA MP should be expunged from the Hansard.

TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said there was nothing to be expunged as his colleague had described only what happened.(Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)