Former President Maithripala Sirisena denied rumors that he would accept a Cabinet portfolio at the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle.

Issuing a statement, the former President’s Private Secretary said Sirisena had no intention of becoming a minister.

The former President will continue to function as a parliamentarian in the ruling party. The SLFP states that its MPs were sidelined when assigning ministerial portfolios after the last parliamentary election.

A cabinet reshuffle is expected to take place next week with Basil Rajapaksa taking over as the subjects of economy and finance.