Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told Parliament yesterday that he had received a death threat over the phone for not recognizing the 'Joint Opposition' as a separate group.

The incident occurred on Monday evening.

Jayasuriya said that he was unmoved by such threats. It is important to resolve matters without engaging in disruptive acts, he added.

He also said that the issue with the 'Joint Opposition' was an internal SLFP party matter. He asked the dissidents to discuss the matter with the President.

If the party matter can be resolved, he will have no issue in recognizing the 'Joint Opposition' as a separate group, Jayasuriya said.