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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “There is no threat to national security; measures to be taken to control underworld groups completely” – The president announces | Photograph: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visits Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera Thinakaran: “There is no threat to national security; no room for underworld groups that throve under political protection; the funds for the LG election are ready and the [Election] Commission to decide the date” – The president [informs] in Kandy | Pope Francis in critical condition | Two bills including the one on VAT, gazetted |
Thinakkural: “Are the shooting incidents linked to the underworld? Is there any conspiracy behind the scenes? Investigations launched; there is no threat to national security” – President Anura | The funeral of the founder of the Thinakkural newspaper, Selliah Ponnuchamy Thamilan: “There is no threat to national security; the election to be conducted soon” – The president assures in Kandy |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The police commission and acting IGP in a cold war over OIC transfers; acting IGP’s letter rejected: “I’ve been reduced to a name only; they are unqualified, procedures must be followed” – The acting IGP Divaina: “The National Police Commission is at fault, leading to a loss of control over the police force; ‘godfathers’ abroad control 58 organised crime groups and 1,400 members within the country; one million [rupees] will be offered for information on a T-56 firearm, as it is the public’s duty to report it; 170 substance users have been identified in the police and the army, with 40 being dismissed from the police” – The acting IGP Ada: Who aided Sanjeewa’s murder? Suspicion falls on several police, court and prison personnel; secrets revealed from WhatsApp conversations between the killer and Commando Salintha, who is currently abroad, before and after the murder |
Mawbima: Ganemulle Sanjeewa’s murder: Alleged internal support? Statements recorded from 30 individuals, including court, prison and STF personnel; eight arrested in Ganemulla and Gampaha, including three youths; a request made to question the magistrate | Sacred Tooth Relic exposition to be held after 16 years as the chief prelates approve the president’s request Dinamina: “176 Ministry of Finance vehicles missing; 99 unaccounted for” – the 2023 audit report reveals Aruna: Shampoo-soap lorry worth Rs. 10 million stolen; the owner named as the main suspect Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Brief
The 58th UNHRC session begins; a delegation headed by Vijitha Herath to attend the session
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
The 58th session of the UNHRC will commence in Geneva today (24th). A delegation from Sri Lanka headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath will attend the session. Herath is to address the council tomorrow (25th).
“Continuous shooting incidents will affect the economy” – Harsha de Silva
Virakesari SJB MP Harsha de Silva claimed that the government’s vanity and weakness are the main factors behind the continuous shooting incidents in the country. He added that these incidents will have negative consequences on not only national security but also on the economy through the tourism sector. |
“No decision taken yet to provide police security for MPs” – Ananda WijepalaThinakkural, Thinakaran Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala stated that the government has not yet taken a final decision on providing police security for MPs, and added that there is no change in the government’s policy on the matter. Wijepala further stated that he has instructed the secretary to the Ministry of Public Security to submit a report on requests made by certain MPs who have faced threats. He added that police security would be provided for certain MPs if necessary, after assessing the report. |
Tamil parties agree to contest under the conch symbol
Thinakkural, Thamilan
Certain Tamil political parties have agreed to contest under the symbol of the conch at the upcoming local government election. The decision was made at a meeting of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) held in Jaffna yesterday (23rd). Accordingly, all five constituent parties of the DTNA and other parties have agreed to contest under the same symbol.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily FT
Arjun Aloysius released | Owes Rs. 3.5 billion
Mawbima, Dinamina
Director of the W.M. Mendis Distilleries Company Arjun Aloysius and another senior official were released from the Welikada Prison yesterday after serving a part of their prison sentence. Prisons Spokesperson Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake confirmed their release, noting that the six-month sentence was reduced to four months under the prison’s term reduction system. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has stated that the company owes Rs. 3.5 billion for VAT evasion.
“The opposition is ready to offer full support to combat drug trafficking and murder” – Premadasa
Dinamina Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that the opposition is ready to offer its full support to combat the culture of drug trafficking, robbery and murder in the country. Speaking at a public meeting yesterday (23rd), he criticised the government for lacking a clear plan to address these issues. He emphasised that those who fail to fulfill their promises—the government—should receive a strong message through the upcoming local government elections. Premadasa further called on the government to take proper action to control these problems and ensure that citizens can live without fear. |
“The government’s main agenda is to accuse our family” – Rajapaksa
Dinamina “The government’s main agenda is to accuse our family. Don’t be surprised if I am arrested in the coming days,” stated SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa made these remarks while launching the party’s ‘Village to Village’ programme in Kalutara on Saturday (22nd). He further pointed out that the news is dominated today by incidents that create fear among the public. “Instead of seeing development, we are witnessing a surge in shootings. At one time, the entire country was a thriving workplace. Now, people live in constant fear of death.” He also urged the government to stop criticising past administrations and focus on finding solutions for the current issues. |
“No one who tarnishes the reputation of the army will be spared” – The army commander
Divaina
Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo stated yesterday (23) that stringent measures have been implemented to apprehend former soldiers who have deserted the army. He also emphasised that no one who tarnishes the reputation of the army will be spared.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Official website of the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy
“There is no threat to national security”– The president
Dinamina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Ada, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy yesterday (23rd), where he paid homage and received blessings. Addressing the media, he assured that there is no threat to national security. While acknowledging conflicts among underworld groups, the president stressed that however, they do not pose a risk to public safety. He highlighted the firm measures taken by the government to eradicate organised crime, which had previously been shielded by political connections. Additionally, Thinakaran and the six Sinhala newspapers reported that Dissanayake announced that a special public exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic will be held after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. He revealed that the event was discussed yesterday (23rd) with the chief prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters.
“We have identified 58 organised criminal gangs and around 1,400 members inside Sri Lanka” – The acting IGP
Dinamina, Mawbima, Aruna ,Divaina, Ada, Thamilan
Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya announced that the authorities have identified 58 organised criminal gangs and around 1,400 members involved in crimes such as drug trafficking and extortion. He stated that these syndicates are often led by ‘godfathers’ abroad and highlighted a decrease in political protection for such figures. Weerasooriya called for public cooperation and introduced a confidential crime-reporting hotline and a reward of Rs. 1 million for information on the recovery of a T-56 firearm. He also criticised the National Police Commission for interfering with internal police affairs, noting that his request for authority over OIC appointments was rejected and referred to the Constitutional Council, leaving him powerless in making transfers.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Further developments in Ganemulle Sanjeewa’s murder case: eight individuals including three youths arrested in Gampaha; statements taken from 30 including those from the court and the prison as well as STF personnel – Dinamina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Divaina Ada, Virakesari, Thamilan
2. Minister Nalin’s statement on MP Rohini Kaviratne condemned | Kaviratne demands public apology – Mawbima, Aruna, Ada, Virakesari
3. “176 Ministry of Finance vehicles missing; 99 unaccounted for”– The 2023 audit report reveals – Dinamina, Thinakaran
4. 15 terrorist groups, including the LTTE, banned – Ada, Thamilan
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