United National Party Parliamentarian and former JHU member Athuraliye Rathan Thera said he would support former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's appointment as the Prime Minister. 

By making the announcement, Rathana Thera made it official he had sided with President Maithripala Sirisena on the controversial appointment of Rajapaksa. 

He said the former President Rajapaksa's appointment as the Prime Minister was "warranted" and constitutional.

Rathana Thera has functioned as an  Independent MP in the House for over a year.