Oct 17, Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) says that nine political parties have expressed support to the joint opposition led by the party.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said that the joint opposition, 'Vipakshaye Virodaya', was engaged in a campaign against the government.

He noted that former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka had turned down an invitation extended by the UNP to join the joint opposition alliance.

He criticized Fonseka for trying to divide the opposition by organizing a separate rally on the 18th instead of participating in the joint opposition alliance.

Attanayake accused the organizers of the rally and Fonseka of carrying out a government contract to break the opposition.

The UNP Secretary also said that strict action would be taken against the party members who violate the Working Committee decision and attend the rally on the 18th.