Former Presidential Adviser Hemakumara Nanayakkara said several government members were talking to him about forming a new political party.  

“Several people including government parliamentarians and supporters will be a part of this alliance. Ardent SLFPers, UNPers and leftists are also set to join this new party,” he said.

Mr. Nanayakkara who was a former minister recently resigned from his post of presidential adviser. He said talks were continuing about forming this new alliance.
“We are going to form a new political party comprising intellectuals, students, farmers, politicians and members of civil society groups. People from all walks of life will be in this group and will be represented in the core group. Our aim is to coordinate with the other parties in the opposition to form a grand coalition for the benefit of the country, a group which feels the pulse of the common man,” he said.

When Daily Mirror asked Mr. Nanayakkara if this new group would function in opposition to the Rajapaksa regime, he answered in the affirmative.
 “When it comes to an election and in its decision making we will oppose the government in a democratic and peaceful way,” he said.

The former UNPer and Galle District heavyweight said he had not spoken to former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka regarding the formation of the new party.
“I can’t divulge a lot of information at this moment but I’m yet to talk to him or any other major mainstream political party leader,” Mr. Nanayakkara said and blamed ministers and bureaucrats for his resignation.

“You can’t blame the President because one man can’t do everything, it is the ministers and bureaucrats who have failed in their duty,” he said. (Hafeel Farisz)