Political grapevine is abuzz with the speculation that President Maithripala Sirisena will hold a discussion with Minister Sajith Premadasa before the latter's meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday.

Although the meeting between Wickremesinghe and Premadasa was expected to be held on Sunday, it was postponed to Tuesday at the last moment at Premadasa's request. The meeting was arranged by UNP seniors to break the current deadlock over the party's Presidential candidacy.

The reason for the last-minute postponement is not entirely clear.

However, it is widely speculated that President Sirisena is playing a behind-the-scenes role in Premadasa's campaign demanding the UNP's Presidential candidacy.

The President has already indicated that he will throw his weight behind Premadasa should the latter run for the Presidency on the UNP ticket.