Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will take part in the Joint Opposition rally on March 17, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said.

Addressing the media today, he said that several other party leaders will also take part in the rally.

Gammanpila's claim comes after the SLFP threatened to take disciplinary action against its MPs and other representatives who take part in rallies organized by other organizations.

Minister S.B. Dissanayake said this morning that the SLFP will take serious action against such breach of party discipline.