Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara has written to the Independent Television Network (ITN) expressing the party’s disapproval of the state broadcaster over the channel’s recent preparations for a debate between two opposition parties.

Detailing the terms under which he extended an invitation to the National People’s Power (NPP) for a public debate, the MP stressed that the invitation was to first conduct a debate between the economic councils of the two parties.

MP Bandara said that the ITN had accepted a day named by the NPP without any regard for the planning and discussions between the two parties, which had been suggested by the SJB.

Furthermore, it is the SJB’s view that the debate should be held at a public venue to be covered by all broadcast and print media, MP Bandara said.

His statement comes after it was reported earlier today that the NPP had informed the ITN television channel that its leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake was ready for a debate with SJB Leader MP Sajith Premadasa.

NPP Executive Committee member Nalinda Jayatissa, in charge of the negotiations of the debate, responded so by acknowledging the letter sent by the ITN on Tuesday (June 04) offering to facilitate the proposed debate on Thursday (June 06).

In a letter to the ITN chairman, NPP’s Nalinda Jayatissa has also pointed out it was essential to confirm whether MP Premadasa is participating in the debate as it is a public debate and not a normal TV debate.