Former Prime minister Ranil Wickeramasinghe has been appointed as the UNP candidate to enter into parliament through the National List. The party was awarded one parliamentary seat and Wickeramasinghe was appointed by the Working Committee of the United National Party (UNP).
Wickeramasinghe has remained in the political backdrop commenting on issues such as the Port City Bill as well as the ancient legislation under which quarantine and curfew restrictions were being imposed.
Thus far, the party has failed to elect a suitable candidate, and the seat has been left vacant for more than a year. Despite much pressure from fellow party members as well as external parties, urging Wickeramasinghe to step down, to date he remains as the leader of the party. Members–Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Ravi Karunanayake, Vajira Abeygunawardena Ruwan Wijewardene and Daya Gamage have shown an interest to head the party, amongst which only former Defence State Minister Ruwan Wijewardena was appointed as the Deputy Leader of the party in September 2020.
