COLOMBO (News1st): The United National Party (UNP) is yet to decide on the next party leader, a Working Committee member has said.

“There was a discussion on the matter but a decision was not reached,” Nissanka Nanayakkara told reporters after a Working Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting had been held for nearly three hours.

Nanayakkara said that more discussions will be held from the first week of September.

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had signalled his intentions to quit following the parliamentary election defeat, prompting the party to choose a successor to the role.

Karu Jayasuriya, a former parliament speaker, is among those tipped to be vying for the post.

“A person who is not a member of the party, cannot hold a post in the party. He should obtain party membership first,” Nanayakkara said responding to journalists.

• China responds to US State Secretary’s visit to Sri Lanka
• US visit to Sri Lanka aimed at anti-China alliance, former senior diplomat says
• Mike Pompeo to arrive in Sri Lanka on Tuesday
• Fishermen complain over stocks lying in harbours shut due to COVID-19
• US trying to establish military bases around China : Prof. Tissa Vitarana