While Sajith Premadasa's presidential campaign within the party has faltered, several of his loyalists ruled out the possibility of Premadasa breaking away from the UNP and contesting separately.

"That will be a disastrous move. I don't think Premadasa will commit an act of political harakiri by leaving the UNP," a Cabinet Minister supporting Premadasa told Asian Mirror.

"We will fight within the party to ensure the candidacy of Premadasa. If our attempts fail, we will support any candidate fielded by the party. We will not leave the UNP under any circumstances. That's certain," he said.

However, the UNP stalwarts admitted that several external parties have influenced Premadasa to defect from the party and contest separately.

The UNP decision-making bodies have opted to field Speaker Karu Jayasuriya as the 'National Candidate' of the UNP-led alliance. The Working Committee of the party and the UNP are expected to formalize the nomination soon.

Multiple sources added that the UNP's Presidential candidate would be announced later this week.