July 05, Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition, the United National Party (UNP) yesterday called on Mr. P.B. Jayasundara, the Secretary to the Financial Ministry to participate in a public debate on behalf of the government on country's present economic strife.

Speaking at a media briefing, UNP MP Ravi Karunanayaka said that he has to nominate the Secretary as no government minister is willing to take up the challenge.

“We will challenge Mr. P.B. Jayasundara – we nominate him now, because when we ask Rohitha Bogollagama to come he doesn’t; when we ask, Bandula Gunawardena, he too doesn’t come – When we ask the finance minister of the country, the President and his deputy Siyambalapitya they too don’t come- When we ask Sarath Amunugama or Ajith Nivad Cabral, they never come,” he said.

“So to whom that we should call,” he asked. “Hence, we declare their names in public, and see whether they would take up the challenge,” he added.