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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Bilateral relations should not be affected by third-party pressures, Sri Lanka and India should support unity” – Indian Deputy High Commissioner | Yoshitha granted bail: barred from traveling abroad | “Change is coming soon: people will seek Ranil“ – Shehan Semasinghe | “The 77th Independence Day should be commemorated as a black day” – North and East forcibly disappeared people’s organisation | Local government elections to be held in April | UK Minister Catherine (West) will visit Jaffna today Thinakaran: In line with the new government’s ‘A Thriving Nation and a Beautiful Life’ declaration: USD 36 billion export target by 2030 – President instructs officials to take necessary steps | Jaffna University Arts Faculty Students’ Union to continue protest until Professor Raguram is appointed Dean of Faculty of Arts | Conclusion of hearing petitions for local government elections – Arrangements made to send secret verdict to President and Speaker | Yoshitha granted bail yesterday on two sureties of Rs. 50 million each |
Thinakkural: “President to visit Jaffna on 31st; Budget to allocate funds for North, addressing many long-unresolved issues” – Minister Bimal in Jaffna | Tamil Arasu Kadchi refuses to participate; Tamil parties’ meeting postponed | “Namal to be arrested within two weeks” – Mahinda’s media spokesperson | Namal criticises the government over the arrests | Minister Chandrasekar explains the reason behind the President’s visit to Jaffna | Ranil to meet Sajith only after an agreement is reached | “Arrests for revenge cannot be allowed” – SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna Thamilan: Local Government Election Amendment Act Arrangements: Supreme Court hearing completed – Secret verdict to be sent to President and Speaker | Woman arrested for brutally strangling dog to death in Mankulam | “Elections to be held in April” – Minister Bimal | Yoshitha Rajapaksa granted bail, travel ban imposed | Risk of coconut price hike: Fears it could reach Rs. 300 |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Bail granted for Yoshitha: “What were you doing for eight years” – Court asks a string of questions from the AG Divaina: Yoshitha released on two sureties of Rs. 50 million (each) Ada: Bail granted for Yoshitha on two Rs. 50 million sureties |
Mawbima: “It is questionable as to how Yoshitha purchased a Rs. 34 million house with the Navy salary” – Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris | Woman (arrested) for hanging a dog to death over mediation board verdict Dinamina: Bail amounting to Rs. 100 million for Yoshitha: “Daisy Achchi cannot buy a house worth Rs. 34 million” – Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris Aruna: “We are deliberately delaying the setting of the minimum price for rice” – Deputy Minister of Agriculture Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sunday Observer
Government plans to arrest Namal, Podujana Peramuna announces: “Namal to be arrested within two weeks” – Mahinda’s media spokesperson
Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural
The government plans to arrest SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa within two weeks, according to SLPP Lawyers’ Association Deputy President Manoj Gamage.
He criticised recent actions, including the arrest of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, for failing to follow proper legal procedures and using the law for political purposes.
Gamage also mentioned concerns over the release of over 300 containers from the port, suggesting the arrest was a distraction.
He believes the government is targeting the Rajapaksa family out of fear that Namal could become president by 2029.
“Bilateral relations should not be affected by third-party pressures, Sri Lanka and India should support unity,” – Indian Deputy High CommissionerVirakesari India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Satyanjal Pandey, highlighted the strong and natural bond between Sri Lanka and India, underscoring their shared history, values, and vital water resources. During a reception marking India’s 76th Republic Day, he pointed out that both nations are democratic republics and share deep cultural connections, including language, religion, and civilisation. Pandey stressed the importance of mutual support, emphasising that both countries must stand by each other free from the influence of third-party pressures. He further highlighted India’s consistent role as a dependable partner, offering aid during natural disasters, maritime crises, and economic difficulties. India’s ongoing development initiatives, with projects valued at millions of dollars, span 25 Sri Lankan districts, underscoring the enduring partnership between the two nations. |
“President to visit Jaffna on 31st; Budget to allocate funds for North, addressing many long-unresolved issues” – Minister Bimal in JaffnaThinakkural Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced that the President will address Tamil issues through the Budget to be presented on 17th February. During a media briefing in Jaffna, he confirmed the President’s attendance at the Jaffna District Coordination Committee meeting on the 31st. Rathnayake stated that ministers do not require police protection, as they trust the people. He also highlighted the longstanding issue of Indian fishermen (poaching) and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to finding a solution. He assured the people of Jaffna that their concerns would be addressed, with a focus on resolving local issues and ensuring dignity for Tamils through dialogue and development programmes. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Lanka News Web
“A lowest price for rice was not set considering the [situation of the] farmers – Namal Karunaratne
Ada, Aruna
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne stated that the government has deliberately delayed setting a minimum price for rice.
He made the statement at a press conference held at the Ministry of Agriculture, yesterday (27th).
He added that it is necessary for farmers to sell rice at a higher price due to the various difficulties that they have to face due to the rain and adverse weather conditions these days, and added that the government has accordingly given them the opportunity to sell rice at higher prices.
CIABOC files three bribery cases against former MP Piyankara
Lankadeepa, Dinamina The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has filed three cases against former Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne. The cases were filed in the Colombo High Court on January 8. One charge accuses the former minister of causing a loss of Rs. 128,520 to the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority by having 3,000 Vesak greeting cards printed at the Authority’s expense. Another charge involves a corruption offence, where Jayaratne had allegedly caused a loss of Rs. 360,000 by directing payment to Weehena Farm (Pvt) Ltd, Mahawewa through the Civil Aviation Authority. Additionally, former Minister Jayaratne faces charges for causing a loss of Rs. 494,000 to the Civil Aviation Authority by crediting that amount to an account at the National Savings Bank in Chilaw. |
“Ranil must be the leader of the SJB-UNP coalition” – Dilum Amunugama
Dinamina National Organiser of the Sarvajana Balaya, Dilum Amunugama stated that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will never think of coming together under the leadership of another, and therefore, it is not possible to believe that the negotiations to have the UNP and SJB compete together in the upcoming local government elections will be successful. He added they do not know for certain whether these parties will join or not. Amunugama stressed that, in his opinion, it is useless to have someone other than Ranil as the leader if one is thinking about joining the UNP and SJB. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
Bail granted for Yoshitha: “What were you doing for eight years” – Court asks a string of questions from the AG
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Beliatta under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and placed in remand custody, was yesterday (27th) granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
Rajapaksa was ordered to be released on two sureties of Rs. 50 million each by Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Rathnayake, following an extended hearing of the facts.
The Additional Magistrate also imposed an overseas travel ban on Rajapaksa.
Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris stated that it is questionable how Yoshitha purchased a Rs. 34 million house with a Navy salary.
The court also questioned the AG’s Department as to why no proper action was taken in connection with the case for the past eight years.
Ban on vehicle imports removed; gazette issued
Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thamilan
Exercising the powers granted to him as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake issued an extraordinary gazette notification yesterday (27th), lifting the ban placed on the importation of vehicles.
This gazette notification was issued under the authority of the Finance Minister, in accordance with Section 20, along with Sub-Section 4(1) and Section 14 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969, as amended by Act No. 48 of 1985 and Act No. 28 of 1987. The regulations outlined in this gazette pertain to vehicle imports.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “Export income to be increased to USD 36 billion by 2030” – President issues directives to officials – Divaina, Ada, Thinakaran
2. “Provide rice, coconut and spices before going on a political witch hunt” – Namal Rajapaksa – Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Hearing of petitions regarding the LG election, concluded: verdict of the court given to the President and the Speaker – Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Divaina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
4. “According to the Constitution, the salary of retired presidents cannot be reduced” – Gammanpila – Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari
5. “LG Election to take place after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April” – Bimal Rathnayake – Dinamina, Virakesari, Thamilan
6. Secretaries of the SJB and UNP to meet in Colombo today – Ada, Mawbima, Thinakkural
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