President Maithripala Sirisena has told UNP Deputy minister Ranjan Ramanayake, whom he met this morning, to cause an internal revolt in the party to make Speaker Karu Jayasuriya the UNP Leader and the Prime Minister. 

"I am willing to continue with a UNP government. But, Karu Jayasuriya must be the Prime minister," the President had told Ramanayake this morning, stating very clearly that he did not want to continue with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Then, the Deputy Minister had responded saying it was not possible as the party had decided to back its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to be the Prime Minister. 

"It's up to you to make that change in the party," the President had replied. Sirisena had also told Ramanayake to come back for another meeting after changing the leadership of the UNP.

However, speaking to Asian Mirror yesterday, Speaker Jayasuriya said, he would never become the leader of the party or the Prime Minister of the country through 'back door'. 

"I never tried to become the Prime Minister. I have no reason to do so," the Speaker said. 

"I will never do anything without the approval of the party. In fact, I made it very clear that I would not accept the Prime Minister's post or any such position, without the unanimous approval of the party," Jayasuriya explained.