The United National Party (UNP) said it would continue with the plan to form a national government irrespective of the President's criticism of the move. 

"We are not deterred by the President's criticism. We will proceed with the national government plan. The Prime Minister has invited all political parties in Parliament to join the national government, " a senior UNP spokesman said. 

He said there was no final decision on forming a national government only with the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). "We have sent an open invitation to all political parties. If the SLMC is decides to join the national government, we will accept them, " he explained. 

Meanwhile, Leader of the House Lakshman Kriella, issuing a statement Kandy, said the purpose of the motion was to establish a national government in the country that could uphold democracy and the rule of law. 

 He also urged the critics of the national government to recall how they behaved when former President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed a Cabinet of 60 ministers.

Addressing the state Independence Day ceremony in Colombo yesterday,  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 the formation of a national government of that nature was only aimed at increasing the number of Cabinet ministers. 

He added that a 25-member Cabinet was sufficient for the government as only one political party was running the government.