Discussions on changing the leadership of the UNP are expected to begin next week, party sources said.

MP Sajith Premadasa, who was nominated by the party as the new Opposition Leader today, is the front-runner to become the new leader of the UNP as well.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe would relinquish reigns soon.

Meanwhile, Kariyawasam sent another letter to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya this evening, requesting to appoint Premadasa as the new Opposition Leader.

Kariyawasam's letter was subsequent to the UNP parliamentary group's unanimous decision to nominate Sajith Premadasa as the Opposition Leader.