President Maithripala Sirisena has opposed giving a ministerial portfolio to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Asian Mirror learns. 

Sirisena has resisted Fonseka's appointment on the grounds that the latter severely criticized the President's conduct after the outbreak of the political crisis. 

Fonseka's name was included in the list of 30 names sent by the UNP to the President to be appointed as Cabinet ministers. 

The UNP has reportedly refused to back down on Fonseka's appointment as he is a front-line member of the UNP. 

The UNP is still unclear as to when the new ministers will take oaths.