President Maithripala Sirisena and his group will support the UNP if Sajith Premadasa becomes the Presidential candidate of the party, a senior SLFP spokesman told Asian Mirror.

"We still have not decided where the support will be extended as a party or in any other capacity. But President Sirisena is very much in favour of the Presidential candidacy of Premadasa," he added.

When asked if Sirisena would be made the Prime Minister under a Premadasa presidency, the SLFP stalwart said he was not privy to such discussions.

However, it is learnt that many SLFP MPs are currently in discussion with either the UNP or the SLPP to "explore their options." It has already been reported that MPs Mahinda Samarasinghe and Mohan Lal Greru are likely to align themselves with the UNP.

The SLPP has decided to field former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the Presidential candidate of the party. Therefore, President Sirisena will stand no chance of becoming the Presidential candidate of a suture SLFP-SLPP coalition.