"You are not the Chief Government Whip — You are the Speaker of Parliament," JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena in Parliament today.

Dissanayake was criticising the Speaker for the latter's biased behavior in Parliament. During a heated debate with State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the JVP leader alleged that the Speaker was acting in favour of the ruling party.

"Please don't behave like this. We were watching your role as the Speaker. You are not a Government Whip. You are the Speaker of this House who is duty-bound to protect the rights of all MPs," Dissanayake said.

"When we raise a question in Parliament, please make sure that the ruling party members answer those questions without delay. That's not happening at the moment and they are using diversion tactics," he added.