- NPP to move ahead with econ. comm./councils debate if Premadasa-AKD debate falls through
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People's Power (NPP) of the Parliamentary Opposition has invited the main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), to suggest three or four dates leading up to 20 May for the highly-anticipated debate between their Leader, Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the SJB and Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa.
In a formal communication to the SJB, the NPP proposed four dates – 7 May, 9 May, 13 May, or 14 May – for the debate, but the SJB declined, arguing that they had not been consulted by the NPP before those dates were decided.
Responding to media inquiries about the latest developments with regard to the debate, NPP Executive Committee Member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that they have decided to allow the SJB to suggest three or four dates leading up to 20 May for the debate.
He said: “Since we all are busy with the May Day, let's not have this debate until 1 May, but, the SJB can propose three or four days up to 20 May and let us know. Dissanayake will definitely participate in the debate on one of those days. Once the SJB finalises the dates from their end, we can discuss the location and duration of the debate.”
He also mentioned that if the SJB is not prepared to propose dates, further discussions and letter exchanges regarding the debate would be pointless. “If Premadasa cannot attend the debate on the dates that we initially suggested, this is their chance to propose alternative dates,” he explained.
“If they won’t do it, we will have to conclude that Premadasa is not ready for the debate. So, we urge the SJB to stop issuing statements here and there and propose dates. If they don’t respond, we will then move forward with the debate between the economic committees of the Parties,” he said.
SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, who has been appointed by the SJB to coordinate with the NPP regarding the debate, was not available for comment. He earlier said that the SJB would propose a face to face meeting within the course of this week, ideally in the Parliament, to decide on a date for the debate. He also said that Premadasa would not join the debate on the dates proposed by the NPP due to his (Premadasa) prior commitments.