Yohan Perera Courtesy The Daily Mirror

More than 40 MPs have handed over a document to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya requesting him to appoint NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa as leader of the Opposition, MP Ajith P. Perera told Daily Mirror today.

We handed over a letter to Speaker Jayasuriya requesting him to appoint Mr. Premadasa as Leader of the Opposition and this was in addition to the letter handed over by UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam who had requested for the appointment of outgoing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Opposition Leader. However we will wait for the decision of the Speaker,” he said.

A similar situation arose in 1994 where the late Gamini Dissanayake and Mr. Wickremesinghe vied for the post and the former was chosen in a vote at UNP Head Quarters Sirikotha.

Former UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim and Former Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara are among those who have signed the agreement.

The Speaker’s office confirmed the receipt of a document calling for the appointment of Mr. Premadasa as Leader of the Opposition.