Former Gampaha District Parliamentarian Joseph Michael Perera has decided to resign from the Working Committee of the UNP. 

Perera, speaking to media, said he would return from the post in protest of the appointment of Ravi Karunanayake as the Assistant Leader of the party. 

Perera, a former speaker, contested the last Parliamentary election but failed to secure his Parliamentary seat. 

Commenting on the development, a UNP Cabinet Minister said the appointment of Karunanayake was not a new development. 

"He was the Assistant Leader of the party and he was reappointed to the same position yesterday. He never stepped down from his Assistant Leader post. So, I can't understand the sudden fuss over the re-appointment  of Karunanayake," he added.