SLFP Spokesman Dilan Perera said that the involvement of Basil Rajapaksa has undermined the Joint Opposition May Day Rally in Kirulapone.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Perera said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated because of his brother Basil.

Therefore, a number of 'Joint Opposition' figures are questioning the involvement of Basil Rajapaksa in organizing its rally, he also claimed.

Perera added that while Mahinda Rajapaksa has never said that he will form a new party, Basil Rajapaksa has said that he want to form one. Any division in the anti-UNP camp will strengthen the UNP, Perera added, and said that even Basil Rajapaksa was aware of this.

Ninety nine percent of the SLFP members admire Mahinda Rajapaksa, but 99 percent SLFPers will not be attending the Kirulapone Rally, he also said.

Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that he will be attending the 'Joint Opposition' rally in Kirulapone. The SLFP is holding its rally in Galle.