Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella has handed over a motion to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on forming a national government. 

A statement by the Office of the Leader of the House confirmed that Kiriella handed over a motion to the speaker seeking the expand the current Cabinet. 

The statement issued by Kiriella's office said under a national government, the number of Cabinet portfolios can be increased to 48. 

However, the SLFP and the JVP have made it clear that they will not enter into a national government with the UNP, under any circumstances. 

The TNA too is unlikely to join the government at this juncture. 

Political sources said the UNP would only be left with the option of forming a national government with the SLMC MP who contested separately and secured a seat. 

Other members of the SLMC contested the last Parliamentary ticket on the UNP ticket under the elephant symbol.