9 April 2024 09:10 am Views - 219
By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana
The proposed public debate between Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and National Peoples Power (NPP) seemed to be becoming a non-event with the former sending mixed signals whilst the latter says its economic specialists are ready for a debate if Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa avoids its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told the media that two separate debates should take place. “Myself, MPs Kabir Hashim and Earn Wickramaratne are ready for a debate with NPP economic expert team led by Sunil Handunnetti. Let the NPP economic expert team talk of debt restructuring and the agreement with the IMF with us. The two party leaders, Premadasa and Dissanayake can have their debate separately,” Dr. de Silva said.
“NPP can tell us about its policy on debt restructuring, and we can come out with our stand as well. Let’s not mix up this debate with the debate on the two leaders,” he added.
Dr. de Silva said the public debate between the economic expert teams can take place in open areas and can be telecast live on all TV channels.
SJB MP J. C. Alawathuwala came up with a different idea at a press briefing, saying there should be one debate where the economic expert teams of both parties and two party leaders can participate.
“The only thing that has to be done is to fix up a date for the debate. Then the two party leaders and economic expert teams can debate,” he said.
NPP MP Harini Amarasuriya said it was better to debate with the two leaders who are contesting the presidential election and said if SJB leader Sajith Premadasa was not ready for it, the NPP’s economic council was ready for the debate.”We have not refused the debate. We proposed to hold the debate between the two leaders as a presidential election is around the corner, If their leader is not ready, we will go to the next step. We will have the debate between their economic experts and our economic experts,” she said.
The two parties have been challenging each other for a public debate but are yet to fix a date and a venue for it.