Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga met with several of her allies within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party yesterday as rumors of the launch of a new party by the 'Joint Opposition' are circulating among the political circles.

The meeting was held in Nittambuwa from the morning till around 5 p.m. in the afternoon.

SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake, Athauda Seneviratne, Nandimithra Ekanayake, Reginald Cooray and Shan Wijeylal de Silva were among those participated.

Kumaratunga, a staunch opponent of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brothers, had earlier vowed that those who criticize party leadership will be severely dealt with.

However, the party has not yet moved to take such severe action against some of its members who have openly supported former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. A section of the party is attempting to bring about a reconciliation between the Maithripala Sirisena camp and the Rajapaksa camp.