Buddhist monks mauled in Lankan parliament

New MP Akmeemana Dayaratne and fellow monk MP Kolonnawe Sri Sumangala, both from the opposition National Heritage Party (NHP), were admitted to the Jayewardenepura hospital, officials said.

The ruling Freedom Alliance of President Chandrika Kumaratunga was furious with Dayaratne, who was selected to replace a fellow monk legislator who had broken ranks to support the shaky minority government.

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Officials said a mace, a symbol of parliamentary authority, was stolen during the brawl, holding up proceedings, and that it was later found in a lobby used by government MPs.