Both Mr Premadasa and President Rajapaksa represent Hambantota district

In a press briefing in Colombo, parliamentarian and Working Committee (WC) member Dayasiri Jayasekara addressed Mr Premadasa as “our new leader.”

He urged UNP and opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and the party seniors to pave the way for the new generation to strengthen the party to face the forthcoming local elections.

“We see Mr Sajith Premadasa as the leader who could make the UNP once again victorious,” he said.

'Better place'

Addressing the media on Saturday, Mr Premadasa said it is his party’s duty to help the middle class, lower middle class and the war affected in the country.

“Our aim in the UNP is to make Sri Lanka a better place for tomorrow,” Mr Premadasa, the son of former President R Premadasa, said.

UNP’s media spokesman, Gayantha Karunathilake, MP, also expressed support to Mr Premadasa.

While Rosy Senanayake, MP, expressed support, Harsha de Silva, MP, said it is important to move forward while uniting the party.

The UNP recently adopted the amendments to the party convention that paved the way for WC members to elect new office bearers, including the party leader, within 120 days of the adoption.

There are 87 WC members, many of whom are parliamentarians, according to media reports.