Speculation is rife in political circles that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) general secretary -- Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena -- has sought the postponement of the expected snap presidential election.

It is learnt that the minister had written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa regarding this. According to sources close to the government, there are a number of SLFP seniors who are not in favour of an election, but do not speak openly about it.