Joint Opposition Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena has turned down a request by President Maithripala Sirisena to attend a special meeting to discuss the current economic crisis. 

The Parliamentarian had said he could not meet the President without approval from former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  

Gunawardena said his views on overcoming the current economic crisis have been expressed at several press conferences in the recent past. 

"I've nothing to share with the President, in addition to what I have already expressed at press conferences," the MP told media. 

Gunawardena's refusal to meet the President comes against a backdrop where the President is attempting to mend his relations with the Joint Opposition.