UNP MPs supporting Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said they would push for a vote on the party leadership at the next Working Committee meeting.

A senior MP supporting Premadasa said the majority of Working Committee members were supportive of Premadasa's bid to become the party leader.

However, the date of the next Working Committee meeting is yet to be announced.

After the UNP parliamentary group meeting yesterday, MPs took an unofficial vote on the party leadership.

The MPs took the vote after party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe adjourned the meeting abruptly and left the meeting room. UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam also followed the party leader.

UNP MP Harsha de Silva said 52 out of 77 parliamentary group members voted in support of Sajith Premadasa for the party leadership.

Premadasa supporters have openly threatened to form a new party if Premasdasa is not appointed as the UNP leader.