SLFP Challenges the JO : Give decision to be independent in writing 

SLFP General Secretary Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa says he challenges the JO to submit their decision to act as independent MP’s in writing to the Speaker. With majority of the MP’s having been voted in after having contested under the SLFP banner he says the group cannot act independently in parliament. 
  
He also pointed out that there are no MP’s voted in under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna banner  and they are only able to represent the party on permission given by the SLFP. 
 
Piyadasa also threatened that if they wish to leave the party voluntarily then the party will appoint new MP’s to the posts of those leaving.

Meanwhile the Joint Opposition has now decided to set up a committee to look into whether the MPs representing the party should act independently in Parliament. 

The decision was reportedly taken following a meeting with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the participation of JO parliamentarians and party leaders.  The committee will be headed by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and former minister Professor G.L. Peiris while it will also include the leaders of the parties in the Joint Opposition. 
 
The committee will decide whether the MPs representing the Joint Opposition will sit independently in the Parliament.  The MPs representing the Joint Opposition were elected to the Parliament after contesting under the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA). 
 
The Joint Opposition is not recognized as the main opposition party in the parliament as the UPFA is part of the unity government formed with the United National Party (UNP).
 
The Joint Opposition had recently requested for the Opposition Leader post to be given to MP Dinesh Gunawardena, but were unsuccessful as the Speaker decided against it.