copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-05-21): National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa have finally reached an agreement to hold the long-awaited one-on-one public debate on 6 June. NPP Executive Council member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said Dissanayake had chosen 6 June for the debate from the dates proposed by the SJB over the weekend. [...] Additionally, the SJB proposed that the NPP choose any date between 3 June and 7 June for the subsequent debate between SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-10-08): Sajith, Dilith, Namal and Ariyanethiran to face off in televised presidential debate tomorrow [...] The Executive Director of PAFFREL also revealed that so far, four presidential candidates including Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) candidate Namal Rajapaksa, ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ presidential candidate Dilith Jayaweera and Tamil common candidate P. Ariyanethiran have confirmed their participation in the debate. Commenting in this regard, Mr. Hetticarachchi further revealed that other presidential candidates including Anura Kumara Dissanayake have also been invited to the debate, but are yet to confirm their attendance. "We are still waiting, the leader of the National People’s Power has mentioned that they have meetings and are a bit busy, but the same applies to other candidates as well. They are yet to confirm."
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-05-21): Anura and Sajith agree on June 6 for debate [...] Leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has accepted the date proposed by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for a debate with its leader, Sajith Premadasa. On behalf of the NPP, its executive member Nalinda Jayatissa issued a statement to the media today (May 20) confirming that Anura Kumara Dissanayake has agreed to the debate on June 6, 2024.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-10-08): Uncertainty looms over proposed AnuraSajith economic debate [...] Leader of National People’s Power Anura Kumara Dissanayake is ready for the proposed debate on economic policies, with the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, at any time today (06), the NPP executive committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-05-20): Colombo, May 20 (Daily Mirror)- NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is ready to participate in the proposed debate with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa on June 6, NPP Executive Committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today. [...] Dear AKD; Sajith is frightened to death to debate with you. Please have mercy upon him and cancel this debate. [...] Following the debate, there will be Boxing between Sajith and Anura. SJB and JVP had arranged Arrack with Biriyani for the spectators with free transport.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-04-09): COLOMBO (News 1st); The prospect of an open debate between Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake has become a focal point in Sri Lankan politics. [...] National People's Power leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, expressed his willingness to engage in a debate with Sajith Premadasa during an inquiry by News First. [...] Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has also accepted the invitation for a debate.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-07): The independent television media agency has written to both leaders of National People’s Power and Samagi Jana Balavegaya to inform them that all arrangements have been made for the debate between Anura Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa. It states, "It is clear that the proposed debate between Mr Sajith Premadasa and Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been agreed to be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024. [...] Below are the letters addressed to Anura Dissanayake, the leader of the National People’s Power and Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-04-23): The letter purportedly written by Sajith to Anura, suggesting June 31st as a debate date, is fake. [...] Meanwhile, a letter is circulating on social media purportedly from the opposition leader responding to Anura Kumara. The letter claims that Sajith Premadasa expresses willingness to engage in a debate. However, he clarifies that he cannot accommodate the proposed dates in May due to prior commitments involving discussions with global economic experts. Premadasa suggests June 31st as a suitable date for the debate with Anura Kumara. [...] Title:The letter purportedly written by Sajith to Anura, suggesting June 31st as a debate date, is fake.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-06): The National People’s Power (NPP) party, in a letter to the Independent Television Network (ITN), accepted its invitation for its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to engage in a televised debate with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today. NPP Executive Council member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, in response to ITN’s offer to host the long-delayed economic debate between the two party leaders, stated that NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is prepared to participate in the debate. [...] "The proposed debate between Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been scheduled for Thursday, 6 June. We have organised the debate to take place in our media company’s HD studio on 6 June, starting at 10 p.m. and it will be broadcast live. We cordially invite you to participate in this debate," the letter read.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-07): Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa did not attend the scheduled televised debate with National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the Independent Television Network (ITN) last night. [...] In contrast, the NPP had previously agreed to ITN’s invitation for its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to participate in a televised debate with Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, a member of the NPP Executive Council, acknowledged the ITN’s offer and confirmed Dissanayake’s readiness to join the debate. Dr. Jayatissa also requested ITN to confirm Premadasa’s attendance for the debate, emphasising the pre-scheduled nature of the event. [...] ITN Chairman Sudarshana Gunawardana thereafter extended an offer to both the SJB and NPP to host the debate in writing. Gunawardana’s letter specified that the debate between Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be scheduled for Thursday, 6 June with plans to broadcast it live.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-06): Colombo, June 06 (Daily Mirror)- The National People's Power (NPP) has informed the state owned Independent Television Network (ITN) channel that NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is ready to participate in the debate with SJB leader Sajith Premadasa on the ITN channel. The NPP has acknowledged the letter sent by the ITN on June 4 expressing its willingness to facilitate the proposed debate on June 6. NPP Executive Committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, who is handling the matters related to the proposed debate said in a letter to the ITN chairman that it is important to confirm whether Premadasa is participating in the debate as it is a scheduled debate rather than a normal TV debate.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-08): Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa did not attend the scheduled televised debate with National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the Independent Television Network (ITN) last night (June 6). [...] In contrast, the NPP had previously agreed to ITN’s invitation for its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to participate in a televised debate with Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, a member of the NPP Executive Council, acknowledged the ITN’s offer and confirmed Dissanayake’s readiness to join the debate. Dr. Jayatissa also requested ITN to confirm Premadasa’s attendance for the debate, emphasising the pre-scheduled nature of the event. [...] ITN Chairman Sudarshana Gunawardana thereafter extended an offer to both the SJB and NPP to host the debate in writing. Gunawardana’s letter specified that the debate between Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be scheduled for Thursday, 6 June with plans to broadcast it live.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-09-08): Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana has invited Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa and National People’s Power (NPP) Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a public debate with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his national economic policy and his policy statements, which have been passed by Parliament. The Minister said that if the main candidates are unable to participate, a representative specialised on the subject should be sent.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-06): The National People’s Power (NPP) party, in a letter to the Independent Television Network (ITN), accepted its invitation for its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to engage in a televised debate with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. NPP Executive Council member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, in response to ITN’s offer to host the long-delayed economic debate between the two party leaders, stated that NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is prepared to participate in the debate. [...] "The proposed debate between Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been scheduled for Thursday, 6 June. We have organised the debate to take place in our media company’s HD studio on 6 June, starting at 10 p.m. and it will be broadcast live. We cordially invite you to participate in this debate," the letter read.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-10-08): Anura and Sajith agree on date for debate [...] Leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake has accepted the date of June 06 from the dates proposed by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for the debate with its leader Sajith Premadasa. This was revealed by NPP executive committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, who is also the party‘s coordinator for the proposed ‘Anura-Sajith’ debate, in a statement issued to the media on Monday (20).
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-10-07): Colombo, Sri Lanka – Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), has agreed to debate Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa on June 6. This date was among those proposed by the SJB. [...] This upcoming debate is anticipated to address key political issues and provide a platform for both leaders to present their visions and policies, fostering a robust political discourse in Sri Lanka.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-07): Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa did not attend the scheduled televised debate with National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the Independent Television Network (ITN) last night (06). [...] In contrast, the NPP had previously agreed to ITN’s invitation for its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to participate in a televised debate with Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. [...] Gunawardana’s letter specified that the debate between Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be scheduled for Thursday, 6 June with plans to broadcast it live.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-09): Why, then, did Anura invite Sajith for a debate on Independent Television, which has become Ranil’s propaganda channel, with one of Ranil’s closest allies as its chairman? Media outlets like Derana, Hiru, and Sirasa expressed their willingness to broadcast the Sajith-Anura debate, but Anura did not respond to any of these offers. Instead, Anura chose to debate on Ranil’s uncle’s newspaper, the Daily Mirror, and Ranil’s government channel, Independent Television. Both the Daily Mirror and Independent Television are known for attacking Sajith and the Samagi Jana Balavega (SJB). Sajith and the SJB have accused these media organizations of promoting Ranil’s image and working for his victory in the presidential election. Consequently, Sajith announced that he would boycott the Daily Mirror for distorting his stories. [...] JVP leader Anura failed to grasp this political theory, which even a political novice would understand. The script for this drama was crafted with Ranil, who participated in the ITN debate. Anura challenged Sajith to join the ITN debate, effectively seeking refuge in Ranil’s territory. No opposition leader in Sri Lanka—whether Mrs. Bandaranaike, Chandrika, Gamini, Ranil, Mahinda, or Sajith—has ever engaged with government media. This is because the government allows only those politicians who support it to feature in its media.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-16): The SJB has meanwhile expressed its preparedness to hold both debates planned between it and the JVP/NPP at any time, after the 6 June debate between the two Party Leaders resulted in only the JVP/NPP Leader attending the debate organised by the State-owned ITN channel, with the SJB Leader stating at the last minute that he will not be attending until the debate between the Economic Committees of the two parties is held. [...] "They played a trick on 6 June by participating in a programme we hadn’t agreed to. We’ve been insisting that these debates should occur on open platforms with all media institutions present and moderated by an independent party. [...] The SJB meanwhile has also filed a complaint with the CID regarding a fake letter claiming that Party Leader Premadasa had accepted an invitation to a debate hosted by ITN. The document had been shared on social media.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-10-07): MP Sunil Handunnetti said this while participating at a function held at the Colombo New Town Hall yesterday.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2011-11-08): However he appears to have gone to several other forums and attempted to clarify his position. Last week The Sunday Times carried an article of some considerable length giving what was purported to be the position of Weeratunga in relation to the Helping Hambantota private bank account scandal. On ITN Lalith Weeratunga then gave a one sided interview where he expounded his position on the matter. [...] Kabir Hashim’s letter to the CID "This is further to the complaint I made on July 19 against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse regarding the commission of the offence of criminal breach of trust in relation to donations received for tsunami victims. [...] Hashim states in his letter that "evidence has also surfaced to show that during the relevant period monies that were given from time to time to the Prime Minister as donations for tsunami victims have been deposited in the ‘Helping Hambantota’ private account. As I stated in my original complaint there is reliable evidence to show that these monies too have been misappropriated by the Prime Minister."
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2019-11-18): • The highest-profile candidates were Sajith Premadasa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who both attracted large crowds at rallies. They made extensive use of traditional media, with a heavy presence in paid advertising in television and the print media. Their campaigns used cross-platform electioneering tactics online, with official promotion pages adjoining third-party sites that frequently served to discredit the rival. The volume of hostile commentary was higher on SLPPleaning sites. There was a significant gap in resources between the two main candidates and the others. The campaign on the ground and online of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party of Anura Kumara Dissanayaka was less prominent. The remaining contestants were scarcely visible. [...] Of a record 35 contenders, the most prominent were Sajith Premadasa of the New Democratic Front (NDF) and Gotabaya Rajapaksa of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). A third high-profile candidate was Anura Kumara Dissanayaka of the National People’s Power and leader of the Janatha [...] The decision was retracted the next day due to complaints. 60 The state-run Election FM aired discussions featuring 30 candidates. 61 On 5 October, several CSOs organised a public debate in an indoor stadium for an audience of some 4,000 people and featuring nine candidates. Only Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not accept the invitation. 62 State-owned television channels ITN, Rupavahini in Sinhalese, private channels Derana, Hiru, Sirasa, Swarnavahini in Sinhalese, Shakthi in Tamil language; radio stations Derana FM, Sirasa FM, Neth FM in Sinhalese; newspapers Lankadeepa,
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-08): • Support for AKD drops to SP’s level while RW makes gains, Sri Lanka poll shows • Sajith no-show at ITN hosted debate with AKD – https://www.ft.lk/news/Sajith-no-show-at-ITN-hosted-debate-with-AKD/56-762762 • Foreign ‘observers’ and interference in election process – https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240602/editorial/irrational-referendum-and-its-rationale-559021.html • Electoral register to be finalised next month: last electoral register 16.9 million voters eligible – https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240602/news/electoral-register-to-be-finalised-next-month-559084.html • Patali: Ample space for genuine political movement to represent ‘silent majority’ – https://island.lk/patali-ample-space-for-genuine-political-movement-to-represent-silent-majority/
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2019-11-03): He said that any elected president should have a concern for the north. "During the Rajapaska government the roads were done and Sajith Preamadasa has done housing schemes." [...] Ananada (52), a mechanic, said he was concern about the security situation. [...] NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa has already held a campaign rally in Puttalam town, where he drew a large crowd, predominantly from the Muslim community. SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa is to campaign in district in the coming days.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-07): The proposed debate between Leader of the Opposition and Presidential Candidate of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sajith Premadasa, and Leader and Presidential Candidate of the National People’s Power (NPP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, did not take place on 6 June. The much-anticipated debate, between the two presidential candidates, faced multiple delays as the duo struggled to reach consensus on the date and the sequence of debates, particularly whether debates on Presidential Candidates or economic committees of the Parties should precede. [...] After a series of exchanges of letters, the NPP informed the SJB that NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake would participate in the debate with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on 6 June. State-owned ITN channel offered to broadcast the debate at 10.00 p.m. on 6 June and Dissanayake agreed to participate. However, the SJB expressed resistance to the dates proposed by the NPP, suggesting a lack of proactive engagement from the NPP’s side, which indicated their lack of commitment to the actual debate.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
Evidence (2024-06-12): Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S. M. Marikkar yesterday claimed the recent televised debate planned between SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and National People’s Power (NPP) party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake with only the latter attending was a conspiracy hatched by the NPP, ITN and the President’s Office. [...] With the two parties failing to yield concrete plans for two debates involving party leaders and their economic councils despite weeks of negotiations, last month, ITN Chairman Sudarshana Gunawardana extended a written offer to both the SJB and NPP to host the debate. Gunawardana’s letter outlined that the debate between Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake would take place on 6 June, with intentions to broadcast it live. [...] He also criticised Sudharman Radaliyagoda, the mediator of the program attended by Dissanayake. "Radaliyagoda was closely associated with the Rajapaksas and even went to prison. Why should we attend such a program? As a former media person myself, I know that an independent feed must be provided to all channels. This debate was engineered by Ranil Wickremesinghe and the JVP. We will not participate in such an event," he asserted.
Claim: Letter On Sajith’s Participation In ITN`s Debate With Anura !! (Social Media Users, 2024-06-06)
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