The group supporting Sajith Premasasa have run into a fresh crisis with senior members in the group strongly opposing the formation of a breakaway political party.

Asian Mirror reliably learns that several seniors in the group, namely Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Thalatha Atukorale and Kabir Hashim, have advised the group not to explore the possibility of forming a new political party if the UNP denies Premadas's candidacy bid.

However, relatively young members in the group, namely Ajith P. Perera, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Nalin Bandara are strongly pushing for the formation of a breakaway party.

Bandara went on to announce on his Facebook page that they will form a new party for "elephants' referring to the official symbol of the UNP.

Discussions are underway between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and UNP Deputy Leader Ajith P. Perera to work out an amicable solution to the current candidacy issue in the UNP.