Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa today said he would accept NDF Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa's challenge for a public debate.

However, Premadasa's challenge was directed at SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa's uncle. Premadasa, on another occasion, challenged Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to come with his entire family.

"SLPP presidential candidate @GotabayaR has no problem w/debates but it's best to consider it after your manifesto is released so there's substance to debate. Until then, if you insist on a debate now, I'm ready."

Namal Rajapaksa's statement, however, earned mixed reactions on social media with many political activists asking why the young Parliamentarian is bent on covering up for his uncle.When contacted by us, a UNP spokesman scoffed at the idea of Premadasa having a debate with Namal Rajapaksa who is not even the front-line member of the SLPP.