The UNP has announced it will not attend the meeting called by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuses the current situation in the country. Issuing a press statement today, the  UNP claimed that the meeting called by the Prime Minister was politically motivated. "Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a politically motivated move, decided to host a meeting of the former 225 Members of the 2015 Parliament on Monday (4)." "While this meeting was not accepted as an alternative to the official reconvening of Parliament, the UNP decided to attend the meeting so as to once again re-iterate the party’s official stance that politics must be put aside in the face of the growing national crisis caused by COVID-19." "However, the party has since learnt that the invitation to this meeting has been extended to all former MPs and other active political leaders, including those from previous Parliaments, thereby expanding the invitation from the original 225 MPs." "The UNP is of the opinion that no meaningful dialogue can be held in this type of meeting. Instead the Rajapaksa regime are focussed on playing party politics at a time when the nation needs unity in the leadership." "The UNP stands ready to assist the government in their efforts to eradicate the COVID-19 menace that has seen our country come to a standstill." The UNP further noted that in order to effectively do so, the government must ensure that all measures taken are those in line with the country’s constitution.