Seneviratne also says ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa has not been named by this committee as the PM candidate of the party, refuting media report to the contrary.

He has told BBC Sandeshaya that the party has held flexible talks with president Sirisena about its future, adding that priority would be given by the committee to unite the party and take it forward.

Recommendations of the party will be made known to both the present and the past presidents, he said.