President Maithripala Sirisena said he was a combination of D. S. Senanayake and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, the founders of the UNP and the SLFP. 

Addressing a book launching ceremony in Colombo, President Sirisena said, "When former Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake settled villagers in Polonnaruwa, he may not have thought that a man hailing from those families would rule the country one day."

"When S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike formed the SLFP and ushered in a new revolution, he may not have thought that a son of his revolution would come forward to lead his party'"  he added. 

"I am a combination of both of them. I respect both of them equally, " Sirisena said. 

The President said when he became a Presidential Candidate in 2025, he thought he was working with a party protecting D.S. Senanayake's legacy. "But I was proven wrong, " he added. 

Sirisena said, "it was never a rogue and corrupt party."

He stated there was no room in the grand old party for bribery and corruption.