Amidst speculations of the founding of a new party, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's new political and public relations office was opened at Nelum Mawatha, Battaramulla a short while ago.

Rajapaksa and the 'Joint Opposition' was using Abhayaramaya in Narahenpita as the venue for media conferences. However, there is an ongoing court case against the use of Abhayaramaya for political work. The court case is to be taken up for hearing again on next Monday.

Several key stalwarts of the 'Joint Opposition' recently met at Rajapaksa's residence to discuss the details of forming a new party, political sources said.