Anura names representative for public debate; Kanchana refuses

13 December 2023 05:12 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 20 Bookmark

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BY AJITH SIRIWARDANA AND YOHAN PERERA

Parliament, Dec. 13 (Daily Mirror)- While refusing to participate in a public debate with JVP member Wasantha Samarasinghe as proposed by NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara made a fresh call to Dissanayake to present himself for the debate.

The Minister told Parliament that if MP Dissanayake was sending Wasantha Samarasinghe as his representative, he would also send someone to represent him.

"Anura Kumara said his party accepted my challenge for a public debate. He has said he will send Wasantha Samarasinghe as his representative. If he is sending his representative, I will also send my representative. Wasantha Samarasinghe is not even an MP. If he can rather send Ranjan Jayalal, then I also can send a trade union leader for the debate," he said.

Minister Wijesekara said he challenged Anura Kumara for a public debate on what he had said in Parliament and that he was prepared to debate with Dissanayake himself.

MP Dissanayake, who accepted the challenge of Minister Kanchana Wijesekara earlier in the day, said that his party was ready to face the challenge and said he would send Wasantha Samarasinghe to debate on the CEB, fuel and coal purchases and solar deals.

Comments - 20

Cloy Wednesday, 13 December 2023 05:28 PM

AKD for an open debate? Not even in a dream. Never. He knows only accuse people but never comes forward to prove what he accuses. Remember when Wijedasa Rajapakshe invited him for such a thing, he simply escaped.

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Manoharan J Wednesday, 13 December 2023 08:10 PM

All know about Wijedasa Rajapakshe, so no use in wasting energy debating hypocrites. So stop slining mudding on AKD, who is not in any shape or form to have contributed to the rot of the country.

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Lanka Wednesday, 13 December 2023 05:41 PM

It is a well-known fact in this digital world that AKD is an able, talented clever, and eloquent politician among all. No doubt about it. He speaks for people on behalf of people. The Nation knows that. But some politicians with personal interests do not like it. this battle is between the personal interest of a few and the public interest of people .. People must choose which way they want to do

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Malan Jayatunga Wednesday, 13 December 2023 06:20 PM

No worries. This is JVP (Sri Lanka) like Polpot in Cambodia

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Dee Wednesday, 13 December 2023 07:14 PM

One wouldn’t want to loose presidential dreams. Especially when foolish followers have a high regard. A public debate can catch anyone with his/her pants down. The true statesmanship will be shown! One can’t utter nonsense which is said at roadside protest sites in a public debate!

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Gerry UK Wednesday, 13 December 2023 07:17 PM

It should be JVP spokesman for power and energy who should debate the minister responsible. That is the democratic tradition. AKD should debate only the leaders of other parties. For the avoidance of doubt, I am no JVP supporter but I like FairPlay.

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Sambo Wednesday, 13 December 2023 08:25 PM

The public will soon show you the road leading to your house on a one way.

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Amalka H Wednesday, 13 December 2023 09:56 PM

Whether we accept or not Anura Dissanayake is the most popular party leader in the country at the moment. One reason for that is his strong criticism against and timely revelation of malpractices by corrupt politicians and higher officials, which has become a big headache to the increasingly unpopular government. As a party leader he has a right to send his next layer politician to debate with this so called minister. If the minister really wants to go for a meaningful debate, he can do it with that nominated politician without rejecting. Or Ranilbor Mahinda can attend a debate with Anura as in US Presidential Debates. Considering the controversial and allegedly shady deals in power and energy sector in recent times, i doubt this minister will attend the debate even if Anura comes. This minister made this challenge directly to Anura knowing that Anura, being the party leader, cannot accept a debate with a second layer politician. This whole government consists of disgusting crowd.

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Raven Wednesday, 13 December 2023 11:00 PM

Anyone can criticize. That's all Anura can do. A minister can't debate with a unionist. Anura has only 3% in previous election. He should come forward as a parliamentarian. The minister will send him cartwheeling hahaha.

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Manchanayake Wednesday, 13 December 2023 10:05 PM

No politician in this cabinet or government will ever participate in any public debate especially with any member of JVP. JVP will make them completely naked in public. These are just false challenges. Now it's too late for any member of this government to reverse their definite tragic fate at the coming election. Crabs dancing in biling water...Last few months...vast majority of the people have realised their fatal mistakes in previous elections.

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Maz Wednesday, 13 December 2023 10:34 PM

Kanchana the MRs puppy thinks he is on-par with AKD. What a joker. Send RW to the debate then.

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Dilum Wednesday, 13 December 2023 10:50 PM

AKD called for the public debate didn't he? Then shouldn't he show up?

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Nilmini Welivita Thursday, 14 December 2023 03:00 AM

Kanchana is the chicken man. He knows he will get massacred and all his underhand deals will come to light.

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Moh Sleiman Thursday, 14 December 2023 06:55 AM

AKD is not a fool to have a debate with KANCHANA,This guy KANCHANA is a puppet of the RAJAPAKSHA and RANIL.Guys AKD Is our only SAVIOUR.

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Tissa Fernando Thursday, 14 December 2023 09:38 AM

Understand the protocol man, Anura is the party leader, he will debate with those at same level you are a small guy, so you should debate with guys at similar level.

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Dolly Dias Thursday, 14 December 2023 10:03 AM

AKD is a typical JVPer, afraid to face real-life challenges. What can you accept from a person like AKD who makes a living by misleading the general Public for his personal against. Remember the late 80s - how JVP DESTROYED THE COUNTRY AND THE MURDERS THEY COMMITTED. AKD is made of the same fabric. Full of lies and no substance. Dolly

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Cherath Thursday, 14 December 2023 10:29 AM

In the late 1960s, Kanchana's father, Mahinda Wijesekara was our Students' Union Leader at Vidyodaya (now Jayawardenepura) University. He was the sworn saviour and protector of the brand of Socialism expounded by Trotsky, Engles, Lenin and Mao Tse Tung. In the end, he couldn't shake off the vice like grip MR had on him and became his poodle. What is worse, look where his son ended up!

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Rishan Thursday, 14 December 2023 11:22 AM

Fair enough. AKD accept the challenge by KW ...We look forward for the show.....

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Lasa Perera Thursday, 14 December 2023 11:27 AM

Kanchana and other fools, your days are numbered. Waiting for an election.

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GHT Thursday, 14 December 2023 08:06 PM

Minister Kanchana is honest in his response, well done.

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