Following the Leader of the House, Minister of Education and Attorney Dr. Susil Premajayantha expressing his regret regarding the incident of him using an expletive against Samagi Jana Balawegaya Opposition Parliamentarian, Rohini Kumari Wijerathna Kavirathna during the Parliamentary session held on 24 February, the latter made critical comments about the former yesterday (7).

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Dr. Premajayantha expressed his regret over the incident saying: “I would like to mention with utmost respect that I am extremely sorry if anything hurtful to Kavirathna was read during my speech in Parliament on 24 February. I mention that it was not something which was targeted at her.”

After his statement, Kavirathna made critical remarks about both Dr. Premajayantha and the Speaker of the House Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana. “My privilege-related question has been submitted by the Opposition Leader's office, but it has been removed from today's agenda. I doubt if you (Abeywardana) removed it until he (Dr. Premajayantha) made this statement. I would like to ask if Abeywardana and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena endorse Dr. Premajayantha's statement in Parliament. Has it been removed from the Hansard? The International Women's Day is to be commemorated tomorrow (8), but, when a female MP speaks, they are being insulted. I do not know if Dr. Premajayantha's research for his doctorate was about the female genitalia (the expletive used by Dr. Premajayantha refers to the female genitalia),” she said.

On 24 February, Kavirathna was making a statement in Parliament regarding the incident of Police officers having attacked and arrested a group of teachers and Buddhist monks who had come to the Education Ministry for an official purpose on 23 February. During her statement, she questioned the lack of action taken by the Ministry Secretary to prevent the related incident and what steps Dr. Premajayantha would take regarding the incident. While Dr. Premajayantha, who stood up to answer her question, was making an explanation, Kavirathna stood up again and spoke. At that time, several Government MPs were interrupting her, and in the midst of those interruptions, she was further querying Dr. Premajayantha regarding the incident which took place on 23 February. At that time, Dr. Premajayantha was seen criticising Kavirathna using a phrase which caused offence.