Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa will hold a key responsibility in the new party that will be formed by the 'Joint Opposition', the Local Government Representatives of the JO said.

The Co-Chairman of the Joint Opposition LG Representative Collective Udeni Athukorala said that the team which is engaged in the organizational work are currently conducting their work as a group, since no officials of the party have been designated.

However, Basil Rajapaksa will act as the coordinator between party leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and the other members of the party, he said.

Athukorala also said that the organizational work of the new party will be carried out by JO MPs, former local councilors and intellectuals and artistes who have supported the move to form it.