(UTV|COLOMBO) – New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa yesterday publicly challenged Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa to a one-on-one debate given live coverage on television.
“I challenge Gotabaya Rajapaksa to face me 1:1 on live TV so voters can watch us fearlessly pit our policies and visions against each other. A strong candidate need not be afraid to engage with their opponent in an unscripted exchange of ideas,” Premadasa said in his official Twitter account.
Meanwhile, speaking at a public rally in Pannala, Premadasa observed that the country’s intelligence units have been weakened due to politicisation.
“Intelligence units should not be used to cater to the interests of politicians. Intelligence units are there to be alert on the challenges and issues the country might face and take proactive measures to prevent them,” he said.
“Under the previous administration, officials in the defence establishment became servants of the rulers.They became slaves of the rulers and their wives.National security could not be assured in that manner,” he added.
Premadasa noted that the national security could not be guaranteed, if the country was not on good terms with the international community.Premadasa pledged to foster transparent and direct diplomatic relations with foreign countries.
He noted that his political opponents were acting with bogus patriotism, and used war heroes to place sand bags on the roads for night racing in front of Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. “They conducted musical shows in front of the Dalada Maligawa spending public money. In contrast, we, as genuine Buddhists, did unprecedented work to uplift the Buddha Sasana by building Dhamma School halls, dagabas and temples,” he said.
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