Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will not relinquish his duties as the Prime Minister even under an interim government. He told a private radio channel that even if there is a temporary administration, such an arrangement should operate under his leadership.

The Premier said it would not be a pragmatic move to form an interim government when various parties pull in different directions. The Prime Minister said that the party has no qualms with his leadership He rejected Dullas Allahpperuma’s proposal saying there is no common ground of agreement among the political parties. He said maybe one or two who do not know the political history may want me to step down. If there is an interim government, it should be under my leadership.No one would want Ranil Wickremesinghe to be the Prime Minister. There is an open invitation for the protestors to negotiate if they refuse to do so, they may have to continue their protest without any solution.