Aug 26, Colombo: Media reports circulating in Sri Lanka say the main opposition United National Party members are seeking for a new leadership following the party's loss at the just concluded Provincial Council elections in North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

Reports say disgruntled group of MPs are to meet today to discuss the future of the party under the present leadership of Ranil Wickremasinghe and urge him to relinquish not only the party leadership but also the Opposition leadership without causing further damage to the party.

Political observers say there is a growing movement within the party to bring out UNP Chairman Rukman Senanayake as the party leader. The members who are seeking the change want Wickremasinghe to hold a similar role as Sonia Gandhi in India’s Congress Party.

Sources close to the party insiders say some members were waiting for the UNP to lose at the provincial council polls so that they can make their case stronger. They reportedly feel that Wickremasinghe is not a strong enough leader to campaign against the Rajapaksa regime. However, Wickremasinghe’s backers say is not power hungry.