Feb 05, Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) will delay the appointment of a deputy leader as the party leader Ranil Wickremasinghe is considering to set up another leadership tier, party sources said.

According to UNP sources, party leader has decided to create a second level of leadership board to handle the future activities of the party.

At a discussion held with party seniors yesterday the Opposition Leader has proposed to select a deputy leader from the second tier leaders.

According to sources the second tier leaders will include MPs Lakshman Kirella, Kabir Hashim, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, and Mangala Samaraweera and few others. However former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa was not among the second tier leaders, sources said.

The senior leaders also have discussed appointing former chairman of the UNP Rukman Senanayake as the new deputy leader.

Discussions at the next Working Committee meeting will focus on Premadasa although he is unlikely to be considered for the deputy leader post, sources said.

According to sources, the party leadership has received a complaint about a statement made by Premadasa during the membership development programme of the party and party leader will make a decision on the deputy leadership considering the complaint.

The party has decided to temporarily hold the appointment of a deputy leader, sources said.