‘Public Platform’: Sri Lanka holds first ever presidential debate
October 5, 2019 10:21 pm
A report of a series of proposals consisting of public requests for free and fair elections was handed over to independent election-monitoring organizations yesterday (05) at the ‘Presidential Election 2019-Public Platform’, Sri Lanka’s first-ever open dialogue where all candidates presented their policies to the public.
The ‘Public Platform’ was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium as a collaborative effort of the AFRIEL Youth Network and the March 12 Movement of the PAFFREL Organization.
The report is a compilation of proposals gathered by AFRIEL Youth Network from the public during the events conducted at 1000 villages in 22 districts across Sri Lanka.
Executive Director of election monitoring organization PAFFREL, Mr Rohana Hettiarachchi and National Coordinator of CMEV Manjula Gajanayake accepted the proposals.
The AFRIEL Youth Network, handing over the report, stated that they hope the Election Commission would take practical measures to conduct a free and fair election and that election-monitoring organizations would work with commitment and credibility for this purpose.
The proposals include prevention of misuse of public property, prevention of illegal election campaigns including posters and billboard advertising, minimization of misuse of media platforms and hate speech and false news propaganda, responsible use of media, the financial use of political parties, conduct of election-monitoring organizations, use of election bribes, religious places and clergy for election campaigns.
Presidential candidates Minister Sajith Premadasa of United National Front (UNF), JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake of National People’s Force, Former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake of National People’s Movement, Duminda Nagamuwa of Frontline Socialist Party, Sirithunga Jayasuriya of United Socialist Party, Rohan Pallewatta of National Development Front, Sarath Manamendra of Nawa Sihala Urumaya, Dr. Ajantha Perera of Socialist Party of Sri Lanka and Ariyawansa Dissanayake of Democratic United National Front joined the ‘Public Platform’.
