Sri Lanka: Gota turns down Sajith's invitation for public debate

We should see to it that the people of the same calibre only engage in the debate - SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today (Oct 30), turned down the invitation by rival presidential candidate, Sajith Premadasa, for a debate with candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

“We should see to it that the people of the same calibre only engage in the debate,” Rajapaksa’s spokesman, Keheliya Rambuwella told a news conference in Colombo.

“However, our candidate is someone who has proven his efficiency through his actions,” Rambukwella said referring to Rajapaksa’s development programmes, in his capacity as ministry secretary, under the previous government.

He observed that certain individuals in the rival New Democratic Front (NDF) camp have been slinging mud at their candidate, while not even releasing Premadasa’s manifesto to the public.

“The public servants are going to cast their (postal) vote tomorrow without knowing the manifesto of Sajith Premadasa,” SLPP member Susil Premajayantha told reporters.

Meanwhile, the SLPP criticised the government for the manner in which it had decided to sign an agreement to obtain the US Millenium Challenge Corporation grant worth USD 400 million.

Rambukwella, alleged that the government had influenced this month's dissolution of the National Economic Council, which had been objecting to the agreement, prior to passing it in cabinet this week.

"There is some sinister move behind all this,” he remarked.

The spokesman further noted that their government, if voted into power, will “carefully scrutinize” the agreements inked by the current government, to ensure that it is not harmful to the country.