The National Peoples Power (NPP) has challenged Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa for a public debate, stating that it accepts the various calls for a debate proposed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members.

Addressing the media, NPP member Sunil Handunnetti said party Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake was ready for a public debate with MP Premadasa.

He further said several SJB MPs, such as Nalin Bandara and Harsha de Silva, have called for an open debate with NPP’s economic council members.

Stating that the NPP accepts the invitations for the debates, Handunnetti highlighted it was important for different political parties to engage in such debates to maintain the quality of national politics.

However, Handunnetti said the NPP was more keen to hold a debate between the leaders of the NPP and SJB, keeping in mind the upcoming Presidential Election.

Calling on the SJB to send a written invitation for the debate, Handunnetti said that it would be more meaningful for those intending to contest the Presidential Election to present their policies to the public themselves.

Handunnetti also pointed out it was pointless engaging in debates with SJB members as some of them, such as Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickramaratne, and Kabeer Hashim, had worked as policymakers under the United National Party (UNP) and are now working in that capacity for the SJB.

Stating that the NPP was prepared to allocate a time and pick a media forum to hold the debate, Handunnetti added that if MP Premadasa was unwilling to do so, other arrangements could be considered. (NewsWire)