A group of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members have reportedly objected to the profanity used by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara directed at State Minister Diana Gamage during the last parliamentary session.

“It is obviously extremely disappointing when this kind of language is used by people you have respect for. I still stand by the fact that gendered hate speech of any kind shouldn’t be tolerated in the house and it includes these remarks,” SJB member Chamathka Ratnayake had been quoted as saying in the media.

SJB Youth Vice Chairman Rehan Jayawickreme had also objected to the comment made by Madduma Bandara.

Meanwhile, State Minister Gamage has sent a letter to Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, seeking appropriate action against Madduma Bandara for his alleged use of an inappropriate term targeting her during the last parliamentary session.

Gamage had said that she would definitely take action against Madduma Bandara’s “inappropriate” behaviour.

“I will definitely take action against him. I will not let him get away with this nonsense. I have written to the Speaker that he should inquire into this incident. I will also be speaking in Parliament regarding the harassment of female MPs next week and the language that is used by these ‘men’. It has to come to a stop. I am not going to stop until I make sure that it comes to an end in some legal way.”