UNP Mayoral candidate for the Colombo Municipal Council A. J. M. Mussamil today challenged his rival UPFA candidate Milinda Moragoda to join him in a debate on national television for the people to decide who they should vote for.

Mussamil made the challenge to Moragoda at the launch of his manifesto. He said providing housing, developing basic infrastructure roads and sewerage systems, ensuring water sanitation, the disposal of garbage, the beautification of the city, improving the living conditions in slums, job sustainability for street vendors and three-wheeler drivers and accessibility for differently abled people are some of his policies.

“My policy is one that should be and can be implemented unlike the false hopes and unrealistic dreams of the government. I invite Milinda Moragoda to join me in a discussion on television to decide who the better candidate is,” Mussamil said.

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake said there are some 5.5 million residents in Colombo and that the UNP hopes increase these numbers to 8 million. He said the government has torn down 20,200 houses in Colombo and they continue to do so creating suspicion and fear among people. He said Milinda Moragoda has vowed to give people the right to information but said that it will never become a reality. “The Mahinda Chinthanaya has not fulfilled the promises made to the people, so how can the people rely on Moragoda’s manifesto,” he said.

“The government tries to practice cosmetic surgery on the city of Colombo but there are real problems that need to be addressed such as children’s needs, education, health and sanitation. There are some families that do not have enough for a day’s meal. These are the problems that need to be addressed,” UNP MP Rosie Senanayake said. (Olindhi Jayasundere)