Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said the UNP should field its leader as the party's candidate for the next Presidential election. 

Extending his full support to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Fonseka said he would throw his weight behind the party leader to ensure his victory at the next election. 

When asked about UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa's bid to run for the presidency, Fonseka said it is the party leader who should run for the top office. 

Speaking to the media in Kelaniya yesterday, Fonseka also ruled out the possibility of forming a pre-October 26 style national government with the SLFP. 

"We can form a national government, but that will be different to the one existed before this government," Fonseka explained. 

He said the UNP had divorced itself from the SLFP, led by President Maithripala Sirisena. 

However, negotiations are currently underway to give ministerial positions to several SLFP MPs who are currently working with the UNP-led government.