Former Minister Harin Fernando said it was easier for President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to govern the country with Sajith Premadasa than governing with the current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Addressing a press briefing at the SJB head office, Fernando said cracks had already appeared within the current administration due to strong differences of opinion between the President and the Prime Minister.

"The President came to power with the intention of ensuring order and discipline but the Prime Minister is not letting him do the job. As a result, there is a sense of frustration among those who voted for the President," Fernando said.

The former Minister described Premadasa as a flexible person who has a wide understanding of running an effective government.

"He understands the pulse of the people and has also studied abroad. He is a wise man who understands modernisation and the importance of development. He is the best bet for the Prime Ministerial post at the moment."

Fernando said this would not be similar to the coalition government between former President Maithripala Sirisena and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

"Sirisena was a farmer from Polonnaruwa and Wickremesinghe is a man who was born and bred in Colombo. There is no such difference between President Rajapaksa and Sajith Premadasa," he said.