While assuring that he will contest the upcoming presidential polls, incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe has told SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa that his decision would be announced towards end-July.
Previously, he had planned to make the announcement in mid-May.
The postponement is due to the fact that it would be problematic to grant various forms of relief to the public once the announcement is made, said government sources.
Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa met last Tuesday, after which the former had talks with the premier and senior government ministers too.
The SLPP has been saying that it will declare its stand on a presidential candidate only after Wickremesinghe goes public with his decision.
