UPFA MPs Namal Rajapaks and C.B. Rathnayake hit back at former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for her allegation that the 'Joint Opposition' marchers might throw stones at the Bandaranaike Samadhi (Memorial) at Horagolla.

The 'Jana Satana' participants marched in silence as they passed the memorial this morning.

Speaking to the media near the memorial, Namal Rajapaksa said that his father, Mahinda Rajapaksa, did not abandon the SLFP even when Chandrika Bandaranaike did. The 'Joint Opposition' stands for the policies espoused by the SLFP and not the policies of the UNP, he added.

Meanwhile C.B. Rathnayake said that they were not ungrateful to throw stones at the memorial dedicated to the founder of the party.

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday said that she had requested for police protection to the Bandaranaike Samadhi as those who had once thrown stones at it are now in the 'Joint Opposition' camp.