SJB: JVP’s call for RW’s participation in proposed debate diversionary tactic

By Saman Indrajith

The SJB yesterday said the JVP-led NPP’s call for the participation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the proposed debate on the economy was a diversionary tactic.

The SJB has challenged the NPP’s economic council members to a debate on how to resolve the economic crisis. The NPP has challenged SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa to a debate with its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the economy.

National Executive Committee Member and MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on Monday, said a debate between presidential candidates would not be complete without the participation of President Wickremesinghe, who is the presidential candidate of the UNP.

Addressing the media at the party headquarters on Monday, Dr Amarasuriya said that the country would face a presidential election and the candidates of main parties should take part in a debate and reveal their plans to resolve the economic crisis.

“In response to a call by SJB to field a team of economic council members from our party, we pointed out that the most prudent thing to do was to have a debate between the presidential candidates of both parties – Anurua Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa. This would not be complete if the UNP candidate is not there. As such President Ranil Wickremesinghe, too, should participate in this debate with the other two candidates,” Dr Amarasuriya said.

“If the SJB is not willing to field their leader, then we can consider the second option of holding the debate between the economic council members of the two parties. For that also we can invite their counterparts in the Pohottuwa and the UNP. The best option is to have the debate among Anura, Sajith and Ranil.”