Buddhist monks protest in support of President Rajapaksa in Colombo (photo: December 2009)

"The delegation of monks who met the Malwatta Mahanayake thero to clarify the situation about the Kandy Maha Sangha Assembly were insulted by Ranil Wickramasinghe" says Ven. Watinapaha Somananda thero of All Island Monks Organisation.

Especially calling the monk delegation as belonging to a "schismatic sect" is derogatory said a delegation of monks who met the media on Tuesday.

"There is a formal way to address a Buddhist monk. Mr. Wickramasinghe seems to have ignored the etiquette," said Somananda thero.

"Leader of the United National Party is trying to divide the monks. It is an unforgivable sin," claimed Prof. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Nayake thero.

He is the schismatist. We will call him 'Ranil Wickramasinghe the schismatist' until he retracts his statements and apologises to Buddhist clergy   Prof. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Nayake thero

"He is the schismatist. We will call him 'Ranil Wickramasinghe the schismatist' until he retracts his statements and apologises to Buddhist clergy," the Nayake thero claimed.

Members of All Island Monks Organisation supported president Mahinda Rajapaksa during the last presidential election campaign.