Debate between NPP and SJB leaders stalled over date and sequence disagreement
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The proposed debate between the National People’s Power (NPP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leaders and the economic councils of the two parties remain in limbo as the two sides haggle over what debate should take place first and the date.
A few days ago, the NPP suggested that the debate between SJB and NPP leaders could take place on either 07, 09, 13, or 14 May.
SJB MP Nalin Bandara told The Island that he had sent a letter to NPP’s Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa on Wednesday (24) explaining the party’s stance on the debate. Bandara said he had been appointed by the SJB to coordinate the debates.
“NPP has sent us a letter on the debate. There is no mention on the debate between economic councils of the respective parties in the NPP letter. I asked Nalinda to tell me whether they want to take part in this debate or not,” Bandara said.
The SJB MP said he had asked Dr. Jayatissa to meet him in Parliament on Thursday or Friday to iron out the details.
The JVP’s General Secretary Tilvin Silva told The Island that they had offered four possible dates to debate the SJB leader.
“We assume that Sajith has prior arrangements and duties as opposition leader. That’s why we offered four possible dates. The SJB insists that this is a vital debate. Therefore, I can’t see why they can’t select one of the four dates. If Sajith has prior arrangements in all those days, they can give us some options,” Silva said.
The JVP stalwart said arranging a date for a debate between the two leaders is a relatively simple task. “The SJB just has to give us a date if they can’t make it on the dates we proposed,” he said.
