His appointment is to be made parallel to party promotional activities that target the upcoming local government polls.

As the people’s hero in the north-east war, Fonseka could make a positive promotional contribution to the party, the UNP leadership believes.

According to the UNP hierarchy, a deputy leader position is there immediately after the party leader, which is presently being held by housing minister Sajith Premadasa.

After him, finance minister Ravi Karunanayake holds the assistant leader position.