Colombo – A highly anticipated public debate featuring four prominent candidates contesting the 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election is scheduled for tomorrow, September 7, according to the Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), Rohana Hetticarachchi.
The debate, organized by the ‘March 12 Movement’, will be broadcast live from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all major television channels, and will stream across over 200 social media platforms, providing candidates a platform to present their policies to the public.
So far, four candidates have confirmed their participation: Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) Namal Rajapaksa, ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ candidate Dilith Jayaweera, and Tamil common candidate P. Ariyanethiran.
PAFFREL’s Executive Director also revealed that invitations had been extended to other candidates, including Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), though his participation remains unconfirmed. “We are hopeful that he will take part, though his party has indicated they are busy with meetings,” Hetticarachchi stated. Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s party has declined the invitation in writing, citing scheduling conflicts.
The debate will take place at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, giving voters a chance to hear the candidates discuss key national issues ahead of the election.
