Baseless allegations on debate deplored

MP Wijedasa Rajapakse, Attorney-at-law, yesterday said that various baseless and unethical allegations were being made on the cancellation of the proposed debate between the two main Presidential candidates.

Addressing a news conference in Colombo, Rajapakse deplored statements purported to have been made by UNP Deputy General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and MP G.L. Peiris on this issue.

He told the media that the two coordinators from the two sides, Dallus Alahapperuma and Milinda Moragoda, had come to a understanding on the debate. They wanted to issue a joint communique.

In the meantime, they had not to reveal anything out of turn. Rajapakse said it was not clear whether the UNP had permitted Prof. Peiris to speak on the matter.

He disclosed that their suggestion was to have the debate on a special stage at the Race Course Grounds. No political symbols were to be displayed. The UNP did not agree to this, he added.

The restriction on political campaigning after midnight on November 14 also led to this state of affairs, he noted.