The president will visit France this week for talks with Paris Club members.

The UNP will hold a special convention to amend the party constitution next month.

UNP chairman Vajira Abeywardena says that an amendment will be brought to the clause that says if an UNP member becomes the president of the country, he shall be the leader of the United National Party too.

"This clause was brought to the party constitution in 1978 by former president J. R. Jayawardene after the party's landslide victory at the 1977 general election", says Abeywardena.

He says the president is expected to leave for France this week. "He will hold discussions with Paris Club members on the country's economic recovery process during this visit, Abeywardena said.