A letter was handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena urging him to name Kumara Welgama as the opposition leader, UPFA MP Ranjith Soysa told Asian Mirror.

He said that the letter was signed by 55 MPs including Chamal Rajapaksa, Udaya Gammanpila and Dallas Alahapperuma. The signature of UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena could not be obtained but he also supports it, Soyza said.

The MPs who signed the letter also urged the President to name Mahindananda Aluthgamage as the Chief Opposition Whip of the parliament.

UPFA MPs Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Ranjith Soyza visited the President at 4.45pm at his residence and handed over the letter.

Copies of the letter will be handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and UPFA General Secretary Prof. Vishwa Warnapala, Soyza also said.