Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed a committee to look into the future of the 'Joint Opposition' and whether they should form a new party.

The committee is headed by former Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The 'Joint Opposition' MPs in the committee include Dullas Alahapperuma, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Bandula Gunawardena, Prasanna Ranatunga, Shehan Semasinghe, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

These are all SLFP MPs in the 'Joint Opposition'.

The SLFP MPs have already complained about political revenge by the SLFP leadership. Meanwhile, a section of former local councilors have already made public their intention of running for the local council elections under the leadership of former President Rajapaksa.