Jan 30, Colombo: The new Working Committee of the United National Party during its meeting today has decided to appoint the Opposition Leader and the deputy Leader of the party as the leader of the new alliance to be formed and as the prime ministerial candidate of the UNP.

However, there is no change in the UNP leadership, which is held by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, UNP general secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

The Working Committee meeting chaired by party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was held at the party headquarters Sirikotha today.

According to the General Secretary, 57 members were appointed to the Working Committee for the year 2020. However, only 37 of them participated in the Working Committee meeting today and 20 members including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa were absent.

It was reported that Kalutara district United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Ajith P Perera and UNP national list MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka have been removed from the party’s Working Committee. The working committee met today amid a fierce conflict over the change of party leadership. A majority of the UNP parliamentary group met earlier has decided that Premadasa should be given the party leadership. However, the Working Committee today has not decided to make any changes to the leadership of the party.

Former non-cabinet minister Dr. Harsha de Silva taking to Twitter said Premadasa will have full control of the party with appointment of own General Secretary and head nominations board.

“Sajith Premadasa will lead broad alliance including the UNP. He will have full control with appointment of own General Secretary will also head nominations board. Electing UNP leader now less relevant. Will do so anyway in due course, but for now focus on April poll; 113+,” MP Harsha de Silva tweeted.