A section of the pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa camp is to launch a new political movement under the leadership of Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, political sources said.

The pro-Rajapaksa members of Local Government Bodies are expected to be the core of this movement. The first meeting of this group is to be held on June 28.

A group of former local councilors held a press conference yesterday at the office of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and said that this movement will be launched officially as a party once the Local Elections are called for. They said that Basil Rajapaksa will be the Chief Organizer of the movement.

This is seen as an attempt to organize a more grass-root level movement in view of the local elections.

However, a section of the 'Joint Opposition' has opposed the involvement of Basil Rajapaksa. The local councilors who are involved in the movement said that all MPs of the 'Joint Opposition' will support them. Nevertheless, the implications of such a movement on the 'Joint Opposition' remains to be seen.