The March 12 movement sponsored a public debate including the presidential contenders running for the 2024 election, which took place yesterday afternoon (07) at the BMICH.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, Namal Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Dilith Jayaweera of “Sarvajana Balaya” presidential candidate, and Tamil common candidate P. Ariyanethiran had all confirmed their participation in the live presidential debate. Only Jayaweera, the entrepreneur, showed up for the televised debate.As he addressed the gathering, Rohana Hetticarachchi, the Executive Director of People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), thanked Jayaweera, the presidential candidate for the “Sarvajana Balaya” coalition, for honouring his pledge to appear and show respect for the nation’s citizens.
“At the first presidential debate, only Dilith attends; Namal and Sajith are not there.”
Hetticarachchi continued, “We invited six candidates for the debate,” in his opening remarks. Out of them, four agreed to come. We express our gratitude to Dilith Jayaweera for being here at this time. We anticipate Sajith Premadasa’s arrival while the argument is still going on. We have been informed by Namal Rajapaksa that he will arrive after Sajith Premadasa. P. Ariyanethran confirmed that, because of time restrictions, he had to turn back after travelling halfway.
The discussion was supposed to start at 3:30 p.m., but it was delayed by forty minutes because the organisers were anticipating the appearance of more contestants. Dilith Jayaweera was the sole contender present for the whole debate, which started at 03.40 p.m.
Speaking during the discussion, Dilith Jayaweera gave the public an overview of his future strategy for the nation.
A person who is a representative of the strategic program has arrived. He looks different, behaves differently, speaks differently, and has a different program. He has the strength to attend this type of debate because he is so unique,” he said.
