While insisting that he will never betray the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday hinted at the possibility of the formation of a new party by his supporters.

Speaking to the media at the opening of a new SLFP office in Urubokka, Matara District, Rajapaksa said that new parties could be formed according to the political circumstances.

"If people are thrown out of their parties, they will have no alternative but to form a different party", he said.

His comments come amidst widespread speculation of the future of the 'Joint Opposition' set up by his supporters. Minister S.B. Dissanayake recently claimed that up to 15 MPs of the Joint Opposition are planning to join the government. Meanwhile, the SLFP is considering the possibility of taking tough action against its members in the Rajapaksa camp.