Mr. Abeygunawardana, who is a prominent figure in Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera's 'Pivithuru Hetak' organisation, was speaking during the 'Pethikada' programme telecast on Sirasa TV.

He said : Research done so far shows that although the UPFA will emerge as number one at the upcoming General election they cannot secure 113 seats in parliament. Therefore, the next government will be a national government set up by the UPFA and the UNP.

The next Prime minister would not be Mahinda Rajapaksa but a senior SLFPer. Whoever it is, that person will be able to function as the right hand of Maithripala Sirisena for a 'Maithri governance and stable country'.

The next line of UNP leadership can get a good start under the President's shade as his left hand, he added.