UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa's speech at the Mathugama rally yesterday has caused ripples among the party's Working Committee members ahead of a crucial meeting this evening.

Speaking at the rally yesterday, Premadasa said he would not accept pre-conditions from anyone in exchange for presidential candidacy.

Premadasa left for the meeting in Mathugama following a discussion with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, during which he explicitly accepted the majority of conditions laid down by the Prime Minister.

"The sudden shift in Premadasa's tone even before the final decision on his candidacy has made the Working Committee members wary, " a UNP Working Committee member told Asian Mirror.

"It was seniors in the Premadasa group who initially said they would accept any condition from the Prime Minister in exchange for presidential candidacy, " he added, expressing dismay at Premadada's unanticipated U-turn.

As a result, tensions will run high at today's Working Committee meeting of the UNP, where the party's supreme decision-making body will make a final decision on Premadasa's candidacy.