Addressing the Independence Day national ceremony, President Maithripala Sirisena said he did not agree with the UNP's plans of forming a national government with a party that has only one seat in Parliament. 

Sirisena said formation of a national government of that nature was only aimed at increasing the number of Cabinet ministers. 

The UNP has already handed over a motion to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on forming a national government seeking to increase the number of Cabinet portfolios to 48. 

The President also said he was able to end 'violence' in the country in 2015, but added his government could not eliminate corruption. "We have to question whether our political leaders have a genuine need to eliminate corruption. " 

The President also lamented that the country had become a narcotic hub and stressed the need for taking action against drug smugglers. 

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was also among the dignitaries who attended the Independence Day national event at Galle Face Green today. However, former President Chandrila Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, a regular figure in the Independence Day events over the past few years, did not attend the event this time.