A tense situation arose in parliament today (Nov. 08) after State Minister Ashoka Priyantha made an unsavoury comment on Opposition MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne.

A response given by State Minister Ashoka Priyantha to a question posed by MP Rohini Kumari Kaviratne with regard to providing relief via the budget had led to a vocal protest from the opposition.

Opposition MPs urged the chair of the house to ensure that derogatory comments are not being made at female MPs, adding that the conduct of government MPs is despicable.

The opposition MPs said that un-parliamentary language was used by the State Minister in his response to the female MP, and urged to take action against the MP.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said if such un-parliamentary words were used those words can be expunged.

Speaking, Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse has said that measures will be taken if it is proven that there was any wrongdoing against MP Kaviratne and a decision on the matter will be given after records are directed to the Speaker after his return.