A spokesman for the joint opposition said Basil was now having meetings with members of local government bodies supporting them to discuss arrangements.

The first such discussion took place at a hotel in Kegalle yesterday (20) for members of the district’s LG bodies.

Meanwhile, SLFP general secretary Duminda Dissanayake said the party was having its May Day rally in Galle town.

No party member is allowed to attend any other function, and violators will be punished irrespective of positions, he told Sri Lanka Mirror.

The SLFP rally will be chaired by president Maithripala Sirisena, and Mahinda’s presence there is of no significance, said Dissanayake.

Official invitations have been sent to Rajapaksa and Chandrika Kumaratunga, both of whom are patrons of the party, he said.