The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe appears to be having the edge in the secret ballot to be conducted on July 20 to be elected to serve presidency for the rest of the current term, Daily Mirror learns.

The SLPP has taken this decision despite its own MP Dullas Alahapperuma announcing that he would participate in the ballot.

The SLPP has taken this decision despite its own MP Dullas Alahapperuma announcing that he would participate in the ballot.

Mr. Alahapperuma is likely to get the support of Sri Lanka Freedom Party ( SLFP) which also contested the election in alliance with the SLPP.

However, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has not yet announced whether he will contest or not. His Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) held talks with the parties in the opposition yesterday to explore the possibility of securing sufficient numbers to win presidency.

Its General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said, “At the moment, we have taken up the position that our leader should contest the ballot. But things may keep changing till the last minute.”

Besides, a reliable source said that SJB MP Sarath Fonseka mulls contesting.

Meanwhile, a faction of the SLPP disputed the statement made by its General Secretary Sagala Kariyawasam pledging support to the Acting President.

SLPP MP Prof. Channa Jayasumana said it was a statement made without the knowledge of others.

“We are not aware of this decision. It is not a SLPP decision. We support Mr. Alahapperuma,” he said.(KELUM BANDARA)