The United National Party (UNP) (Sinhala: එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂය, romanized: Eksath Jāthika Pakshaya, Tamil: ஐக்கிய தேசியக் கட்சி, romanized: Aikkiya Tēciyak Kaṭci) is one of the oldest political parties in Sri Lanka. It has been the main ruling party in Sri Lanka on several occasions. The leader of the United National Party is the highest position in the party. The leader is appointed by the majority vote of the working committee of the party who meets at Sirikotha, when the position is vacant.
| Leader of the United National Party of Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|
| United National Party | |
| Type | Political Party Office |
| Appointer | Working committee |
| Term length | no term limit |
| Inaugural holder | D. S. Senanayake |
| Formation | 1947 |
| Succession | Deputy Leader |
| Deputy | Ruwan Wijewardene |
| Website | www |
The party had seven leaders since 1947. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been the leader of the UNP since 1994. Ruwan Wijewardene is the current deputy leader of the party.
| Name | Portrait | Province | Periods In Party Leadership | Highest Position Held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. S. Senanayake | .jpg) |
Western | 1947–1952 | Prime Minister |
| Dudley Senanayake | .jpg) |
Western | 1952–1953 | Prime Minister |
| John Kotelawala | .jpg) |
North Western | 1953–1956 | Prime Minister |
| Dudley Senanayake | |
Western | 1956–1973 | Prime Minister[a] |
| J. R. Jayewardene |  |
Western | 1973–1989 | President[a] |
| Ranasinghe Premadasa |  |
Western | 1989–1993 | President |
| Dingiri Banda Wijetunga |  |
Central | 1993–1994 | President |
| Ranil Wickremesinghe |  |
Western | 1994–present | President |