In 2005, a significant event unfolded in Sri Lanka’s political history with the emergence of a political debate between UNP presidential candidate Ranil and United Front presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse. This marked the inaugural occurrence of such a debate in the country. UNP parliamentarian Milinda Moragoda was appointed to coordinate the debate on behalf of Ranil’s camp, while Dulas Alapperuma assumed a similar role for Mahinda Rajapakse’s team. Correspondence ensued between them, with Milinda’s initial letter requesting to propose several suitable dates, a preferred media channel for live broadcasting, and a venue of Mahinda’s choice. He also suggested discussing these details with Ranil for mutual agreement. However, despite further exchanges, the debate was eventually called off with consent from both parties
Subsequently, UNP presidential candidate Sajith Premadas 2019 challenged the ‘podujana peramuna ‘candidate Gotabaya for a debate to which Gotabaya not even care to respond.
This is how in a presidential election one challenges for debate or rejection it.
“Some time back, the Economic Council of Samagi Jana Balavegaya issued a challenge to the J.V.P. Economic Council for a debate on economic policies. Despite initial silence from Sunil Handunnetti, a member of the National People’s Power Economic Council, he later counter-challenged Sajith to debate with JVP leader Anura Kumara. Shortly after this, the JVP website published news claiming Sajith blamed SJB economic council members for the challenge, expressing discomfort in debating Anura Kumara. Harini, known for avoiding political slander, echoed concerns over the debate invitation putting Sajith in a difficult position
It is clear that because of the fear to face SJB economic council JJB declared the debate should be between Sajith and Anura assuming Sajith fear debating with Anura. Even before one hour lapsed after Sunil Handuneti’s challenge Sajith accepted the challenge. Main stream TV channels namely Sirasa, Hiru, and Derana consented to televise Sajith – Anura debate live.
Sunil was not be found after this. Sunil Handunnetti, who challenged Sajith, was not featured in the media. Anura Kumara did not say a word that he was ready to debate with Sajith. However, Ranil’s brother-in-law, deputy leader of UNP Ruwan Wijewardena who always slandered Sajith, through his new paper ‘Daily Mirror’ suggested a debate between Anura, Sajith and Ranil. Harini of JJB too jumps in and says that J.J.B. likes that debate. By this time, Sajith had named MP Nalin Bandara to coordinate the debate. Without talking to him, Tilvin Silva wrote a letter to SJB and stressed by giving few days in the month of May and said if not agreeable to the dates given to declare unable to debate.
If there is a debate, JJB never writes letters to their opponent saying ‘if you can come, if you can’t’, give a date. They were the ones who challenged. If so, they should first ask their challenger about available dates, places and media. It is the accepted tradition for debates in the world. When Tilvin sent that letter, it reflects as if expressing unwillingness.
Following Tilvin’s letter, the SJB promptly responded, expressing the challenging circumstances of those days and suggesting a meeting in Parliament to discuss the matter further. However, JJB failed to attend this meeting. Additionally, the SJB proposed that the coordination of the debate be assigned to the Bar Association, yet JJB never responded to this proposal. Had JJB responded, the Bar Association would likely have accepted the role.
In a letter from Nalin Bandara to JJB regarding the debate, it was proposed that the debates between the economic councils and the Anura-Sajith debate be scheduled on separate dates. The SJB’s Economic Council challenged JJB’s Economic Council, and JJB challenged Sajith. Sajith also accepted JJB’s challenge. Therefore, if JJB challenges SJB, it should likewise accept the challenge. However, JJB remained silent on this matter, failing to discuss alternative dates with Sajith or address the challenge issued by the SJB.
However, when UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan, who is Ranil’s brother-in-law, extended an invitation through the ‘Daily Mirror’ newspaper to engage in a debate, Tilwin Silva promptly agreed. This decision came 24 hours after Sajith accused the same newspaper, controlled by the UNP, of defamation against him. It suggests that despite the ongoing dispute between Sajith and the ‘Daily Mirror’, Tilvin welcomed the opportunity for debate, knowing Sajith would likely decline any invitation from that particular source. In accepting the invitation, Tilvin implicitly acknowledged that the debate should involve not just Sajith and Anura, but also Ranil.
‘Now Tilvin cannot be without Ranil…?’
Tilvin, who initially showed no response when Sirasa, Hiru, and Derana came forward as potential broadcasters for the Sajith-Anura debate, quickly shifted his stance when it came to Ranil’s brother-in-law’s newspaper, responding with a resolute ‘OK’. This abrupt change implies a willingness to align with Ranil’s interests in undermining Sajith, a sentiment echoed by the JVP’s apparent desire for Ranil to deal with Sajith. In doing so, Tilvin is subtly signalling his openness to seek assistance from Ranil in this endeavour.
After the rift between Ranil and Sajith emerged post-2010, the JVP threw its support behind Ranil, with Mangala and Malik acting as intermediaries between Ranil and the JVP. Sensing a potential loss in the 2020 general election, Mangala parted ways with the SJB, advising his supporters not to vote for the SJB but instead to support Handunnetthi. However, Handunnetti was defeated in the election.
When Sajith assumed the role of opposition leader in 2020 amidst the economic crisis and called for elections, Anura Kumara suggested examining the sanity of the opposition leader. This came after Aluthgamage, Rohita, and Tissakutty referred to Sajith as a ‘madman’ in Parliament.
When Ranil decided to come to parliament, Handunnetti and Lalkantha said that Sajith was not doing the opposition leadership properly and that Ranil is a better opposition leader than Sajith. They justified Ranil’s visit by telling the media that Ranil is a man who should be in Parliament.
It was the Rajapaksas who forced Ranil to come to parliament. Ranil’s coming to Parliament was justified by JVP. It was the Rajapaksas and Pohottuwa who voted for Ranil to be president. At that time, it was the JVP who gave the strength to Ranil to win the vote.
Sri Lanka’s political landscape is intricately intertwined in a cycle where Ranil relies on Rajapaksa, and vice versa. Similarly, the JVP’s fortunes are closely tied to Ranil’s. This dynamic creates a symbiotic relationship where each player cannot operate independently of the others. In essence, the political equation in Sri Lanka hinges on this delicate balance of interdependence