Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe has challenged Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to a public debate on the resolution on Sri Lanka that is currently tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Geneva.


Wickremesinghe has been quoted in the local media as making this challenge during an election rally in Kiribathgoda.

He has observed that the debate should be telecast worldwide as well as on all local television and radio channels.

However, he has said a date and time for the debate should be fixed before the vote on the resolution at the UNHRC.

According to Wickremasinghe, an all-party discussion has to be initiated in order to prepare and submit a common action plan to the UNHRC.

The Opposition Leader has also expressed doubts over the government's failure to implement recommendations made by its own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

He has added that the UNHRC cannot take Sri Lanka before the international criminal courts and it cannot impose sanctions on Sri Lanka.