Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa yesterday they the Joint Opposition could consider joining hands with the SLFP if the latter decided to vote against the budget. 

Such a decision, the MP said, could provide an opening to form a new government under the leadership of the SLFP. 

In a blog post, the MP said the Joint Opposition would contest the forthcoming Local Government election as a coalition. 

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is likely to lead the campaign of the coalition formed by the Joint oppisition sans the SLFP.

However, during the recently concluded talks with the SLFP, the JO put forward voting against the budget as a pre-condition for reunion. 

The SLFP flatly refused the condition as the budget was prepared in consultation with the President and the party voted in favour of the budget during its second reading vote.