UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa for the first time officially confirmed that he would contest the upcoming Presidential election.

In a Twitter post this morning, Premadasa said he would certainly contest the election.

However, Premadasa did not explicitly say whether he would contest the election on the UNP ticket.

His close ally, State Minister Dilip Wedaaarachchi said they would field Premadasa from a new party, if the UNP refused to give hinm nominations.

Premadasa loyalists in the UNP have organized another public rally in Matara on August 23 to support Premadasa's bid to become the Presidential candidate of the party.