UPFA MP Udayashantha Gunasekara said that a majority of SLFP MPs will join with the new political front which will be established by the 'Joint Opposition'.

Speaking to Asian Mirror, Gunasekara said that the 'Joint Opposition', which supports former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is in serious discussions on the formation of a new front. Even though a final decision is yet to be taken, the formation of this front is almost a certainty, he added.

Gunasekara also said that President Maithripala Sirisena has betrayed the trust as the leader of the country as well as the leader of the SLFP. The ground level membership of the SLFP and the UPFA do not want to face an election under Sirisena's leadership, Gunasekara argued. This has left the 'Joint Opposition' with no alternative but to form a new alliance, he added.

Furthermore, Gunasekara acknowledged that the SLFP MPs in the 'Joint Opposition' will have to take a serious political decision in the event of the establishment of a new front. "However, many of them will join with the new front," he said.