By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

National People’s Party (NPP) leader Anura Kumara  Dissanayake and Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga engaged in a  verbal battle in Parliament, with allegations being hurled at each other.  

The battle started when Minister Ranatunga reacted to an allegation by Dissanayake that he had been engaged in extortion.  

“Dissanayake had said I have been engaged in extortion, but it was they who were engaged in such acts during the 1989 insurrection,”  Ranatunga said.  

“The NPP did receive funds from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)  chief Shammi Silva. I will reveal who gave me this information later,”  he said.  

“We have not received any funds from Shammi. I have never met him. You must prove your allegation, “Anura said.  “Didn’t your son work for Mihin Air and get a job at SriLankan Airlines?” Ranatunga shot back.  
“Yes, my son works for SriLankan. He got in through an interview,” Dissanayake replied.  
“You prove your allegations,” Dissanayake shot back verbally.