Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has intervened to protect the unity of the 'Joint Opposition' which was being challenged by the emergence of two factions within the group.

The involvement of his bother Basil Rajapaksa was threatening to disrupt the 'Joint Opposition' as some MPs were opposed to his involvement.

They said Basil Rajapaksa was responsible for the defeat of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and had left the country immediately after the 2015 Presidential Election.

He had re-entered the political arena recently and had initiated a movement without involving the MPs of the 'Joint Opposition'. His movement was based on some local councilors who support former President Rajapaksa.

However, the former President intervened and said that any movement should also include the MPs. He also said that a committee should take collective decisions on the 'Joint Opposition'.