A majority of the leaders, including Dullas Alahapperuma, are opposing the holding of the inaugural rally of the new party in Eheliyagoda town on October 08, to be organized by ex-minister Pavitra Wannniarachchi.

Ex-minister Basil Rajapaksa confirmed at a public meeting in Nivitigala that the rally would go ahead as planned.

No conflicting opinions

Meanwhile, joint opposition spokesman Kumar Welgama said today (26) there were no conflicting opinions with regard to a new party, and that it would definitely be formed.

Welgama was responding to a question by a journalist at Colombo magistrate’s court where he was present for a court hearing.

As Sri Lanka is now in a difficult situation, the need for a new party is badly felt, he said.

The new party will initiate the formation of an alliance to contest the upcoming local government polls, he said.

Mahinda says no new party

However, ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa has told a function in Pilimatalawa that the formation of a new party would not take place on October 08.

A handful of joint opposition MPs is of the view that a new party will mean both the SLFP and the new party will taste a very bad defeat at the election.

SLFP general secretary Duminda Dissanayake has said it would be unavoidable that the UNP won with a majority power.