'Organization to protect the UNP' - a body seemingly backed by UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa has launched a fresh campaign demanding the appointment of Premadasa as the party leader. 

The organization has carried out a poster campaign stating the "struggle" to appoint Premadasa will begin from the Kegalle district. 

An individual named Ananda Dassanayake, a close associate of Premadasa is the convener of the organization. 

The organization, Asian Mirror learns, is also supported by former members of the UNP who have broken away from the party in recent years. 

It is learnt that the initiative has been launched targeting the next Presidential election, in which Premadasa aspires to be the UNP's Presidential candidate. 

When contacted by Asian Mirror, a spokesman close to Premadasa said the latter had no involvement in the event.

However, when asked as to why Premadasa was not intervening to stop such initiatives creating divisions in the party, the spokesman declined to answer. 

Commenting on the matter, a senior Parliamentarian of the UNP said the party had nothing to do with the matter. 

"It is a personal campaign that disrupts unity and harmony within the party. we strongly condemn this divisive campaign," the Parliamentarian added.