Earlier the bhikkus had hung a placard which read 'Are You Sleeping' on the Ministry boundary wall. Another question on a placard asked whether the minister knew his responsibilities as the Minister of Buddhasasana.
However the Ministry officials showered verbal abuse on the bhikkhus and media personnel who gathered to cover the protest.
Spokesman for Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya (JSS), Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera said the minister showed no concern for threats to Buddhism in the country. He also pointed out the failure on the part of the Minister or the ministry to protest the film 'Hollywood Buddha'.
Commenting on the recent apology made by the film director, the spokesman for the Sammelanaya said it had been agreed only to remove the offending picture of the Buddha used for propaganda.
"However the movie features dialogues and scenes, denigrating Buddhism and the Buddha," he said adding that the movie continued to be screened with these blasphemous scenes and dialogues.
He also questioned as to why the Sri Lankan government, the Buddhasasana Ministry and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage were not taking up the issue at international level.
" This is not the first time these ministries had failed to react to rising waves of sacrilege against Buddhism and the Buddha," Ven. Gnanasara Thera said.
Meanwhile the ministry officials admitted they were yet to view 'Hollywood Buddha'. However, Mr. Abeywickrama said that they have already received feedback from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington that the movie does not contain anything offending the Buddhists.
At a news conference held at the Ministry premises later Mr. Abeywickrama maintained his stand that the protest was an unnecessary move by the Sangha Sammelanaya.
Meanwhile, the Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya in a statement last night condemned the behaviour of the Buddhasasana Ministry Secretary towards journalists and Bhikkus and threatened to take the case to International courts if the ministry failed to take immediate action.
Ven. Gnanasara Thera extended his apology towards the media personnel who were inconvenienced due to the Ministry secretary's behaviour.
