In the run-up to the presidential election, notable absences have been observed in the scheduled live debates. Both President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Force, have opted out of participating.
The debates, slated to start on September 7, 2024, will feature 16 confirmed candidates. Among them, Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, Namal Rajapaksa from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Dilith Jayaweera of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, and independent candidate P. Arianedhiran will be present.
Further debates on September 8 will include National Democratic Front’s Wijayadasa Rajapakse and Jana Aragala Alliance’s Nuwan Bopage, along with other candidates. Additionally, former minister and independent candidate Roshan Ranasinghe will join the debate on September 9 with five other contenders.
