Sri Lanka's prime minister and UNP leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday warned his fellow party MPs not to criticise the SLFP president as could jeapordise the government.
According to local papers, Mr Wickremesinghe was particularly critical of UNP parliamentarians holding press conferences during his recent trip to India.
Going forward all press briefings would need his approval or that of the General Secretary, Leader of the House or the Chief Government whip.
Tensions between Sri Lanka's unity government have been increasing over recent months after almost three years after the UNP-SLFP coalition was elected to power it has failed to deliver on key election pledges.