evidence: 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.