Tue, 30 Apr 2024 Today's Paper

NPP says AKD ready for Presidential debate by Daily Mirror

8 April 2024 08:43 pm - 37     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Colombo, April 8 (Daily Mirror) - National People’s Power (NPP) MP Harini Amarasuriya said that the NPP is ready to accept the invitation made by the Daily Mirror to host an open debate with the three main presidential candidates.

Addressing the media, the NPP Leader was ready to accept the invitation and members attached to the NPP economic council have participated in a number of debates in the recent past where various details were highlighted.

However, with the presidential elections approaching, the NPP proposed that the debate should include only presidential candidates. 

"If this is not feasible, we are prepared to engage in a debate with economic council members from all political parties," MP Amarasuriya said.

Yesterday, the Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa extended an invitation to the three main presidential candidates—Ranil Wickremesinghe, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and Sajith Premadasa—for a live presidential debate on their economic and political policies and their pledges to move the country forward if they win the upcoming presidential election scheduled to be held in October.


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 37

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Wathsi Monday, 08 April 2024 08:55 PM

    Except the incumbent, the other two are NATOs'. No Action Talk Onlies!

    Enaksha Monday, 08 April 2024 09:06 PM

    Take up the initial challenge to debate economic policies first. Don't try to get away from the most important topic.

    Lasantha Jayasinghe Monday, 08 April 2024 09:23 PM

    Don't think Sajith will have guts to debate with AKD

    Lk Monday, 08 April 2024 09:40 PM

    They are well organized and well planned . They have mastered the arts of politics but will Ranil and Sajth have courage to face AKD.. AKD has a clarity of thought and his political ideas are clyster clear for all. Yet will international community accept thier entries into politics.. Will they do a coup in sri Lanka too as they did in many other countries such as Ukraine ; Egypt and other places .

    Sonal Gamage Monday, 08 April 2024 09:54 PM

    A good idea but we want to listen to them in English.

    joshua Monday, 08 April 2024 10:05 PM

    Way to go NPP.

    Priyal Monday, 08 April 2024 10:59 PM

    The election manifestos presented by main political parties over decades were mere words to mislead people close to the election. RW, Sajith and MR have always been on the same boat. The only credible political party at the moment is NPP if we analyse the facts in an unbiased manner. It's highly unlikely that RW or Sajith will attend the debate personally. Instead both these parties would request a debate with a group of other personnel or may not accept at all. After all the first priority policy matter in this election should be governance and corruption-free political system while economy should come next as lack of governance and corrupt politicians will somehow destroy the economy as done so far. UNP, Pohottuwa and SJB are all paradises of corrupt politicians.

    Thinker Monday, 08 April 2024 11:12 PM

    Are any Tamil contestant representing the Tamils in Sri Lanka, for the presidential post, ready for debate.

    pantha kumaran Monday, 08 April 2024 11:42 PM

    I don't think both Ranil and Sajith will participate in the debate. There is no future for Sajith. But the is a future for Ranil as long as the Rajapakses support him. AKD has future. His policy is good. His vision is good. The voters have to decide who is best for the country.

    Man Tuesday, 09 April 2024 02:51 PM

    JVP ruled as ministers of Chandrika from 2003 to 2005 and did nothing to speak of. So they have already proved that they failed in every sense including AKD as the agricultural minister.

    Sri Tuesday, 09 April 2024 12:05 AM

    A political revolution takes place in SL . People want a change People are frustrated with a lot political cheats People know politics more than some old and aging political leaders Wisdom; knowledge and talents will win over inept and incompetent leaders Let them have a debate and see how they do it

    Zak Tuesday, 09 April 2024 03:17 AM

    Very good development. In my view it should be compulsory to have a debate amongst the top 3 candidates before every presidential election.

    Robin Banks Tuesday, 09 April 2024 04:03 AM

    Sajith and Ranil must be taking vallium by the bucket load to calm their nerves.

    Jagath Tuesday, 09 April 2024 04:05 AM

    By the time ranil fiddles with his bundle of papers the debate will be over.

    Namal Tuesday, 09 April 2024 04:06 AM

    Sajith will flee the country.

    Newton Tuesday, 09 April 2024 04:07 AM

    AKD will wipe the floor with the two imbeciles sajith and ranil.

    Jude Tuesday, 09 April 2024 04:20 AM

    I believe NPP gonna have an Economic Council comprising 5 or more members who's competent and professionally qualified to deal with all matters relating to SL economy!! This council gonna implement Long term and short term plans in place to improve Lankan economy.

    Man Tuesday, 09 April 2024 02:46 PM

    JVP ruled as ministers of Chandrika from 2003 to 2005 and did nothing to speak of. So they have already proved that they failed in every sense including AKD as the agricultural minister.

    Steve Tuesday, 09 April 2024 04:24 AM

    Should only be held when a date for the elections have been fixed.

    lion Tuesday, 09 April 2024 05:45 AM

    Now over to SJB and UNP, and The debate will give an insight to the whole world that who is the best to govern this country

    Lokuge Tuesday, 09 April 2024 05:52 AM

    This is good if all the presidential candidates are brought for a debate. This should happen after the nominations. Otherwise this is undue publicity for AKD by giving opportunity to sit with the President.

    M Fernando Tuesday, 09 April 2024 06:11 AM

    Only Royalists should be allowed. They speak English the very good.

    Jude Tuesday, 09 April 2024 06:53 AM

    To my belief, NPP leader or any other members shouldn't indulge in debate with any politician!! Remember, this is the same bunch of politicians who was on power at some point but the country went bankrupt!! Now they can debate standing on their heads that they've all kinds of economic plans but don't bite the bait !! Absolutely positively NO debates, period!!

    Nihon Sudda Tuesday, 09 April 2024 07:22 AM

    Nice Harini! Hail NPP!!

    Terrence K Tuesday, 09 April 2024 08:11 AM

    Some of these opposition parties are only big talkers who have not done anything for the upliftment of the public but make promises if they come into power. Except for the SJB who being in the opposition have walked the talk by initiating projects for the students at schools as well as at grassroot level. So why should the public cast their vote for parties who only make promises as the public have being taken for a ride in the past of candidates who do nothing after they come into Power. How come they could expend funds to go abroad to increase their voter base but do nothing for the public in the present scenario! All these fellows are hypocrites who are wolves in sheep clothing!!!!!!!

    Punchi Thusithaya Tuesday, 09 April 2024 08:13 AM

    If you want a presidential debate just wait until it is declared and the date is fixed for sure. People already know of what all politikkas of all corners utter about economic policies. Indeed they also know about the practice....

    Dee Tuesday, 09 April 2024 08:21 AM

    ‘Ammapa!’

    citizen Silva Tuesday, 09 April 2024 08:24 AM

    This is what happens in the civilized world. I hope it will happen in Sri Lanka so that people can decide whom to vote for.

    Appuhamy Tuesday, 09 April 2024 09:29 AM

    I don't see the point of a debate at this point of time as presidential election is not called yet.

    Ronnie Tuesday, 09 April 2024 09:34 AM

    Excellent we need presidential and ministerial debates done on open media before any election all important issues portfolios must be discussed profesionaly However the host must be a top cat to cover all important issues so the public can easly make decisions for the best candidates to nominate. it would be good if done with English translations or if otherwise on national TV

    R F A Perera Tuesday, 09 April 2024 09:46 AM

    It is moral and ethical duty to inform general public any conflict of interest this media institution has with any candidates before organizing this debate.We want this media institution to declare who owns this media institution and any connectivity of these candidates which violates conflict interest.

    Kool Cat Tuesday, 09 April 2024 10:40 AM

    This debate will not prove much. A good debater is not nessecerilly a good task master who could pull us out of this mess . RW has proven that he can do the job twice on previous occasions

    Jk Tuesday, 09 April 2024 10:51 AM

    There is a big difference between talking

    MUTHUTANTRI Tuesday, 09 April 2024 11:05 AM

    ARE YOU SCARED HARINI? JUST AGREE TO SJB OFFER AND DEBATE.

    Man Tuesday, 09 April 2024 11:53 AM

    What is important is the debate with the SJB as they wanted a debate with the JVP/NPP. So, JVP want to dilute it and make it meaningless to skip. First, debate must be with the economic councils of the two parties and then with the two leaders on two different days. The SJB should announce their members of their council to have it on a national channel which is observed all over Sri Lanka rather than on YouTube to have extreme public involvement. Having on YouTube is a way to evade the public. So, it is very suspicious in every sense. Other debates with other parties are required to be announced, later.

    B P Tuesday, 09 April 2024 12:21 PM

    NPP will even go to hell, if that ensures AKD's presidency.

    Lasa Perera Tuesday, 09 April 2024 04:03 PM

    Last presidential election also AKD has challenged for a debate to Gota and Sajith. However no one had accepted.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment




Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka