Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would be the UNP's presidential candidate by 2020. 

Ruling out the idea of fielding a common candidate, Samaraweera said Wickremesinghe was the best candidate to run for presidency from the UNP. 

He said it was farcical that some groups are fighting for a leadership change within the UNP.

"Most people clamouring for a leadership change in the party are from the Joint Opposition," he added.

The Minister made these remarks while addressing a meeting in Matara, attended by the newly elected Local Government members of the party.