AKD vs Sajith showdown on 6 June

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa have finally reached an agreement to hold the long-awaited one-on-one public debate on 6 June.

NPP Executive Council member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said Dissanayake had chosen 6 June for the debate from the dates proposed by the SJB over the weekend. 

Jayatissa said he would coordinate with SJB MP Nalin Bandara, tasked with organising the debate, to address details such as the date, venue, and parameters of the discussion.

Over the weekend in a letter addressed to Jayatissa, SJB MP Nalin Bandara suggested holding the debate between the economic councils first. Accordingly, the SJB proposed that the NPP select a date between 27 May and 31 May for this initial debate.

Additionally, the SJB proposed that the NPP choose any date between 3 June and 7 June for the subsequent debate between SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

However, the NPP has not yet confirmed a date for the debate between the Economic Councils. When questioned, Jayatissa said the NPP would contemplate taking part in a debate between the two Economic Councils if the scheduled leaders’ debate on 6 June does not proceed as planned.