Several UNP MPs supporting Sajith Premadasa indicated that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to appoint Sajith Premadasa as the party's Presidential candidate.

"Glad @RW_UNP finally agreed w us to field @officialunp deputy leader @sajithpremadasa as the UNF alliance candidate for #SriLanka presidential election. I always knew he would make t right call based on evidence. Now as one team we have an excellent chance to win! #Sajith4NewSL," Dr. Harsha de Silva tweeted.

Minister Harin Fernando also said a positive decision has been made in terms of the candidacy.

However, sources close to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said no concrete decision was not made this evening.

"Everything will be decided by the party Working Committee. Our objective is to appoint a candidate by consensus. But there will be a vote at the Working Committee should we fail to reach a consensus before the Working Committee meeting,"he said.