Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has announced that he was prepared for a public debate with any political party on the various problems faced by Sri Lanka.

Addressing an event in Mullaitivu, MP Premadasa said such open debates would improve the quality of a democratic society, emphasizing that he was ready for a debate on any topic, including economic, social, political, international, etc.

Stating that he was not only ready for any debate, MP Premadasa further challenged other political parties to compete with him to serve the country.

His comments come after National Peoples Power (NPP) member Sunil Handunnetti yesterday challenged MP Sajith Premadasa for a public debate, stating that the NPP accepts various calls for a debate proposed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members.

Handunnetti further said party Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake was ready for a public debate with MP Premadasa, adding that it would be more meaningful for those intending to contest the Presidential Election to present their policies to the public themselves.

Stating that several SJB MPs, such as Nalin Bandara and Harsha de Silva, have called for an open debate with NPP’s economic council members, he added that it was pointless as some of them had previously worked as policymakers under the United National Party and are now working in that capacity for the SJB.

Meanwhile, responding to Handunnetti’s comments, SJB MP Nalin Bandara said Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa was ready for a debate with NPP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

He further said due to the prevalent economic issues in Sri Lanka, it would be more appropriate to hold a debate between the economic councils of the SJB and NPP first.

MP Nalin Bandara said that the SJB’s economic committee was ready for a debate with the NPP’s economic council.