Inability to "balance" factors on the economic problems have caused fresh problems foe the government, Coordinating Secretary to the President, Shiral Lakthilaka said. 

In an interview with Asian Mirror, Lakthilaka said the ruling alliance had failed to 'ideologically defeat' the political groups that fell out of power in January, 2015. "It is a weakness of the government," he added. 

"However, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot form a government. It will be the same in 2020."

"Rajapaksa's Joint Opposition dreams about securing over 60 percent Sinhala-Buddhist votes at the next Parliamentarian. This dream will never materialise in reality."

Lakthilaka also said the government had failed to effectively respond to certain issues faced by the public. This, he said, had given rise to a wave of protests. 

"The Joint Opposition, at the same time, is trying to make use of these protests. They are worsening the problems," he added. 

When asked about various differences of opinion in the government, Lakthilaka said it was the nature of politics in the democratic stream.