Karu UNP deputy leader

The main opposition in Sri Lanka has appointed a senior government minister as its deputy leader. The United National Party (UNP) has decided to appoint Karu Jayasuriya as the deputy leader of the party. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told BBC Sandeshaya that party Working Committee (WC) unanimously approved the appointment. Minister Jayasuriya, a former UNP deputy leader, is currently the leader of the UNP dissident group. He joined Mahinda Rajapaksa government with a group of UNP parliamentarians on 28 January 2007. Mr. Jayasuriya has already accepted the post, Mr. Attanayake told BBC Sinhala Service. Other contenders for the post, Sajith Premadasa, Abdul Cader and Vajira Abeywardene all approved the appointment, he added. The UNP National Organiser, SB Dissanayake, who also wished to be the deputy leader was approved as the UNP Chief Ministerial candidate for Central Province. Mr. Dissanayake did not attend the WC meeting held on Monday, party s General Secretary said. Senior MP, Jayawickrama Perera has replaced party chairman, Rukman Senanayake who was appointed as the assistant leader while John Amaratunga, MP, was appointed as the senior vice president.