JO to become Joint Podujana Peramuna to form broader alliance

Joint Opposition (JO) MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday said that the Joint Opposition would be reconstituted under the name Joint Podujana Peramuna (JPP).

MP Nanayakkara told the Daily FT that the re-formation of the JO into the JPP was to form a larger alliance in the Opposition. 

“We expect to include additional parties to the JPP in order to form a larger alliance against the Government.”

With regard to the SLFP Group of 16, MP Nanayakkara said that the group subsequently adopted JPP membership.

“The group of 16 will be part of the Joint Podujana Peramuna,” he said, adding that the JO had no issue with the 16 being part of both the SLFP and the JPP.

“They have the liberty of leaving the SLFP if they wish,” he said.

Furthermore, MP Nanayakkara noted that the JO member would be contesting future elections under the Joint Podujana Peramuna banner. 

The decision to reconstitute the JO was taken following a meeting held last week among the JO leadership. (SG)