Several key members of the 'Joint Opposition' have expressed their opposition to the increasing involvement of Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, which has led to him being sidelined, political sources said.

Accordingly, the 'Joint Opposition' has decided to discontinue the series of public meetings recently launched under the leadership of Basil Rajapaksa.

Meanwhile, the planned protest march from Kandy to Colombo, the 'Jana Satana Pada Yathra', will be organized by a committee including former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. Basil Rajapaksa is expected to make a limited role in this pada yatra, political sources said.

The Pada Yatra is scheduled to begin from Kandy on July 28.