The main opposition the United National Party is sharply divided over who the Opposition Leader should be following Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's appointment as the President.

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has informed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in writing that former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should be appointed the Opposition Leader.

However, 45 MPs representing the party have written a separate letter to the Speaker requesting to appoint Sajith Premadasa as the Leader of the Opposition.

The Speaker is expected to announce his decision on the matter at the next session of Parliament.