The rift between the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is widening with SLPP stalwarts openly claiming that their party will not be benefitted by forming an alliance with the SLFP.

Addressing a press conference, SLPP member Shehan Semasinghe said they would gain no "special benefit" by signing an agreement with the SLFP.

"We can win the Presidential election without the SLFP's support," he said.

Semasinghe's remarks come in the context of drastic attempts made by a section of the SLFP to strike a deal with the SLPP before the Presidential election.

However, in an interview with a private TV station a few days ago, SLFP bigwig Kumara Welgama said the party had decided to field a separate candidate for the next Presidential election.

His views were in line with a statement made by SLFP Media Spokesman Weerakumara Dissanayake confirming that the SLFP General Secretary had informed the Elections Commission that their party would field their own Presidential candidate.