The United National Party appointed Kabir Hashim as the new General Secretary of the party.

He was appointed to the position vacated by Tissa Attanayake who pledged his support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa this afternoon.

A member of the UNP Leadership Council, Hashim was previously the Chairman of the UNP.

The 55 year old politician was the former Non-Cabinet Minister of Tertiary Education, Training in Sri Lanka. He was educated at the Royal College Colombo and Trinity College Kandy.

Hashim represents the district of Kegalle and he also acted as the media spokesperson of the UNP Leadership Council. 

The decision was announced a short while ago at a press conference announced by the leaders of the common opposition. He was warmly greeted by Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena after the announcement was made. 

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, a Parliamentarian of teh Kurunegala district, presently serves as the Deputy General Secretary of the party.