New party leader for Sri Lanka's main opposition before local government elections

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) Spokesperson and parliamentarian Gayantha Karunatileka told a press conference today that the next leader of the UNP would be chosen before the local government elections.


He added that call by the party membership for a new leader would be fulfilled this year and that the new leader would fulfill the wishes of the people.

Discussions are underway between the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and party seniors on the need to address the call by the party membership for a change in the leadership.

Meanwhile, UNP Hambantota District parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa, who has been called by the party membership to take over the leadership, has decided to run for the post.

According to the new party constitution, appointment of office bearers should be done within 120 days after its ratification. The constitution was ratified at the party convention on December 12.

Present leadership under Ranil Wickremasinghe has come under severe criticism from party members after his party's continual loss of successive elections.