President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said he would accept Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s challenge to a public debate after solving the burning problems of the people.

"Then we could meet at the Galle Face Green and have the grand debate," President Rajapaksa said addressing the Mahapola Scholarships presentation ceremony at Temple Trees.

The President said he had no time to waste at Five Star hotels debating with the UNP leader at this juncture. "I have more important things to attend to," the President said.

Earlier, on Tuesday President Rajapaksa said that he did not want to become a Comedy Star by having a debate with the Opposition Leader.