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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: ”Significant development in the East with India’s participation” – President Anura announces | Fatal accident following the collision of two buses | Pictorial: Opening of the refurbished Court of Appeal building by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong Thinakaran: Adverse weather conditions with heavy rains in the North, East, South and up country | Pictorial: Opening of the sluice gates of the Senanayake Samudraya |
Thinakkural: ”Will not allow the country to economically decline as in the past” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake | Mini cyclone in Gurunagar in Jaffna | “Did not sell anything to China” – Tilvin Silva Thamilan: A ”shadow” parliament to be established under the leadership of Ranil [Wickremesinghe]! | Former Minister Wijayamuni arrested | Severe damage due to heavy rains |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: An estimated monthly rental of Rs. 4.6 million: “Mahinda’s Wijerama residence will be taken over by the government. The 60 bodyguards also to be removed if there is more grumbling [about it]” – President Dissanayake | Former Minister Wijithamuni arrested for hiding an illegal vehicle in his garden: A six-hour statement also recorded Divaina: An army officer apprehended in relation to the dual-murder in Mannar: The mastermind is Gnanadas; a former injured soldier had taken up the Rs. 2 million contract of Dasan; the injured soldier had been present providing intel while the attack was being carried out Ada: The Rs. 280 million that was found in Kurunegala revealed to be owned by Ran Malli; the businessperson who had kept the money in his possession, retained and questioned; “The information published in the media regarding the suspected businessperson is false; the 18g of ice found when arrested had been planted by the police” – The lawyer of the suspected businessperson reveals |
Mawbima: Former Minister Wijayamuni Zoysa arrested | The Mount Lavinia drug underworld takes the seventh life: The shooter apprehended; three deaths reported so far with yesterday’s death Dinamina: “A precise legal system to be established to catch thieves” – The president Aruna: Are there any vacancies or not? A review on state employees Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
A “shadow” parliament to be established under the leadership of Ranil [Wickremesinghe]!
Thamilan
UNP sources claim that discussions are underway to establish a “shadow”/“alternative” parliament under the leadership of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The proposed “shadow” parliament is set to mirror the current parliament and feature parliamentary committees such as the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). It is also reported that some wealthy individuals have come forward to finance and provide a building for the “shadow” parliament.
“A chartered institute of media to be established soon for the advancement of the media sector” – Nalinda JayatissaThinakaran Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the government has undertaken efforts to establish a chartered institute of media to enhance the knowledge and skills of journalists. Jayatissa also noted that previous governments attempted to establish such institutes, but they were unsuccessful. He made these remarks at the Ministry of Mass Media in Narahenpita while speaking with officials from the Sri Lanka Press Council (SLPC). |
“Did not sell anything to China” – Tilvin SilvaThinakkural JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva stated that Sri Lanka did not sell anything to China during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent visit to China. He added that the government has signed several agreements with China and taken steps to secure its assistance. Silva noted that those who oppose the government have raised several criticisms against the government, and these criticisms have now proven to be lies. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“A 20% relief to be granted on the electricity bill” – Minister Kumara Jayakody
Lankadeepa, Divaina
Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated that the government will prioritise the implementation of the recommendations of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to reduce electricity tariffs. Jayakody emphasised that the recommendation will be implemented as the first phase of the plan to provide a 30% tariff reduction over the next three years for the domestic, hotel and industrial sectors. The minister added that accordingly, the overall electricity bill will be reduced by 20% with the recommendations of the PUCSL being accepted and implemented from midnight on January 17. The PUCSL had announced that it has decided to reduce electricity tariffs by an average of 20% overall for the first six months of the year, with effect from midnight on January 17.
A court order issued for the arrest of MP Adaikalanathan
Mawbima, Dinamina Anuradhapura High Court Judge Lakmali Hevawasam issued warrants on Friday (17th) ordering the arrest of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) Leader and Vanni District MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan who did not appear before the Anuradhapura High Court for a case that is pending. These facts were presented when the case pending before the Anuradhapura High Court against Adaikalanathan regarding the illegal release of information about Sri Lanka during the war to an unofficial Indian media outlet, was brought forward. |
“Many economic benefits from the president’s visit to China” – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Dinamina The Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out that Sri Lanka has gained many economic advantages due to President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s state visit to China, which has further strengthened bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Dissanayake and President of China Xi Jinping held discussions on a wide range of areas including economic and trade development, investment, tourism, digital transformation and cooperation in multilateral forums. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations based on sovereign equality and peaceful coexistence. |
“The Hambantota oil refinery was a proposal made during Mahinda’s time; the JVP criticised it then” – The FSP
Aruna
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) points out that although President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signed an agreement to approve the establishment of an oil refinery in Hambantota by China’s SINOPEC, it was a project first proposed during former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime that could not be initiated due to public opposition and that the JVP was also a prominent critic of the project at that time. The FSP points out geopolitical considerations and the possibility of Sri Lanka losing its sovereignty over power and energy as harmful consequences of the project. .
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Neth News
Former Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa arrested for hiding an illegal vehicle in his garden: A six-hour statement also recorded
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The police report that the Walana Anti-Corruption Unit has arrested former Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa for allegedly possessing an illegally assembled truck. The arrest was made following an investigation led by the anti-corruption authorities, upon discovering that the relevant truck had been assembled in violation of legal standards. A six-hour statement had also been recorded from the former minister in the presence of two lawyers last Tuesday (14th). The former minister is expected to be presented before the relevant magistrate court as investigations continue.
“Sri Lanka has proposed that India build an oil refinery in Trincomalee” – President Dissanayake reveals | An estimated monthly rental of Rs. 4.6 million: “Mahinda’s Wijerama residence will be taken over by the government. The 60 bodyguards also to be removed if there is more grumbling [about it]” – President Dissanayake
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural
Attending a rally held in Kalutara yesterday (19th) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that Sri Lanka has proposed that India build an oil refinery together with the oil tank complex that is to be built with India’s assistance. Additionally, the president stated that a company will be established jointly with India for future oil importation activities. Dissanayake further noted that the proposal to abolish the pensions of MPs will also be presented soon. He added that the residence situated in Wijerama Mawatha, at which former President Mahinda Rajapaksa currently resides, will be taken over by the government. Dissanayake further stated that the monthly rental of the house as estimated by the Government Valuation Department is Rs. 4.6 million and that Rajapaksa can continue to reside in the house by paying the monthly rental to the government. He noted that Rajapaksa’s remaining security will also be removed if there is any more grumbling regarding the insufficiency of security personnel assigned.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Veteran journalist Victor Ivan ends his journey of life – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. 315 families hit with disaster due to heavy rains and winds | All schools in the Northern Province, closed | Mini cyclone in Gurunagar in Jaffna: A church and more than 30 houses damaged – Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Two buses collide in Gandara; 61 passengers hospitalised – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
4. The US will be in Trump’s hands from today onwards – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
5. The parliamentary debate on Clean Sri Lanka to be held tomorrow and the day after – Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
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