By Rathindra Kuruwita
The March 12 Movement is planning to host a debate, for the first time in history, among six leading candidates contesting the Presidential Election.
Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL), told The Island yesterday (19) that the six candidates had been chosen because they had already started their campaigning and have support from MPs currently in Parliament.
Hettiarachchi said the March 12 Movement had already invited President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate Namal Rajapaksa, Sarwa Jana Balaya candidate Dilith Jayaweera and common Tamil candidate P. Ariyanethran.
The debate will be telecast live via seven leading electronic media channels and 200 popular social media outlets, he said.
“After hearing about this several other candidates also reached out to us and said they, too, wanted to be a part of the event. We will discuss this request on Tuesday (20) when the March 12 Movement meets,” he said.
Several organisations have attempted to hold debates between the main candidates for the 21 September Presidential Election. A much-awaited debate between SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake failed to take place a few months ago.
