They do not know that as per the Sri Lankan constitution, only the president can appoint the PM as well as the cabinet ministers, he has told BBC Sandeshaya.

If there is majority parliamentary consent, a request can be made to appoint a certain person the PM, but the president has the final say, said the minister.

National government

After the general election, a national government will be formed, according to him.

When asked as to whether it was unreasonable by his party supporters for the president not to take the party to victory, he posed the question as to whether they wanted to take the country, or the party, to victory.