The UNP Working Committee has reportedly decided to hand over the party leadership to a "young leader".

In a statement, the party said the new leader would work with all groups within the party and draw their support to revive it.

However, the timeline of the appointmet of the new leader remains unclear.

The new announcement rules out the possibility of former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya's appointment as the interim leader of the party.

It is also in the grapevine that former Minister Mangala Samaraweera has been approached for the General Secretary position.

Hwever, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will continue in his position as the party leader until the appointment of his successor.