UNP Parliamentarian Ashu Marasinghe said Minister Arjuna Ranatunga at the government group meeting earlier today offered to resign from his Cabinet post to allow the appointment of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka as the Law and Order Minister. 

The UNP MPs also decided to request President Maithripala Sirisena in writing to appoint Fonseka as the Law and Order Minister in the wake of the Easter Sunday attacks. 

As per the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the Cabinet comprises of 30 members and Fonseka cannot take oaths as a minister without another Cabinet member resigning. 

Marasinghe said Ranatunga volunteered to sacrifice his position as the appointment of Sarath Fonseka as the Law and Order Minister is a "timely need". 

However, it is not clear whether President Maithripala Sirisena, who is at loggerheads with Fonseka, will agree to appoint the former Arny Commander as the Law and Order Minister. 

Making a speech in Parliament following the Easter Sunday explosions, Fonseka criticized the government for not utilizing his experience as a former war veteran to strengthen national security.