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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Ex-IGP Deshabandu files petition seeking to prevent his arrest: Court of Appeal sets hearing for tomorrow | “Will we starve to death?” Rohingya refugees protest outside UN office, submit petition | Colombo Magistrate’s Court remands suspect who was providing false information on Ishara Sewwandi | Supreme Court Justice steps down from case against Ranil and others Thinakaran: “Joint project for new industrial parks in the North to boost economic development” – Handunnetti | Deshabandu Tennakoon files writ petition to halt arrest order | “Development in the education sector through five major projects: 619 billion allocated to the education sector” – Prime Minister Harini | Rohingya refugees stage protest | “Increase Tamil medium classes in Colombo national schools” – Mano Ganesan |
Thinakkural: “Moving to a new constitution without power-sharing poses a great risk, and will make the current one disappear” – Professor Sarveswaran | Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya announces resolution in Parliament to restructure education sector through five projects | Former MP Chandrakumar pays deposit for three Kilinochchi Local Government councils on behalf of Democratic Tamil National Alliance | Senior Rajapaksa family member Chamal enters local government election race | MP Ravikaran urges proper solution for those affected by Sajith’s housing project in North and East Thamilan: Muslim MPs in Parliament oppose Archchuna’s remarks, urge respect for Islamic laws | Deshabandu files writ petition seeking stay of arrest; Case hearing scheduled for tomorrow | MP Mano (Ganesan) demands establishment of special circle as Tamil medium sections boycotted in national schools | Information leaked about Muralitharan’s land in Kashmir | “Anura’s Government has accumulated around Rs. 5,000 billion in debt in just five and a half months: government is acting without realising the seriousness” – Gammanpila |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Giving houses to 50 ministers and MPs who attempted to obtain them for cheap using the Aragalaya, halted; 6 have already obtained the houses causing a loss of Rs. 220 million to the government; efforts made to recover the money | Premier reveals grievances faced by students of the Hardy educational institution in Ampara; hostels are like hen-pens; no lights, no mattresses and the place is full of mosquitoes; students prepare their own meals; only for dinner; students of the SLGTI shower in toilets Divaina: Seven deaths reported from four fatal road accidents involving buses, three-wheelers and jeeps in Madampe – Ambepussa, Dambulla and Nalla; both drivers of the Madampe accident had been under the influence of ‘ice’ and marijuana; 17 in serious condition | “Halt the investigation: annul the order issued for my arrest” – A petition from Deshabandu requesting an interim injunction Ada: “Prevent my arrest” – A writ petition to the Court of Appeal from (former) IGP Deshabandu, who is in hiding |
Mawbima: 1,000 smart boards brought for schools have been lying wastefully for a year in Paththalagedara | “Chief prelates to be given the authority to make the Sangha community more efficient, soon” – President Dinamina: “Prevent the arrest” – A writ petition from Deshabandu Aruna: Last year’s coconut harvest worth Rs. 100 million destroyed by monkeys; solutions to minimise damage in the future Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Nominations open for Mannar, Poonakary, and Dehiattakandiya Pradeshiya Sabha Elections from the 24th to the 27th of March, until 12 noon
Virakesari, Thinakkural
The Election Commission has scheduled the nomination process for the local government elections in Mannar, Poonakary, and Dehiattakandiya to take place from March 24th to March 27th, until 12 noon.
According to the Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake, security deposits for these nominations will be accepted from today until March 26th, 12 noon.
This decision follows the conclusion of legal proceedings related to the previous nomination process for these local government bodies.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has announced that the election for the Kalmunai Municipal Council will not be held due to an ongoing court case regarding the establishment of a new municipal council named Sainthamaruthu.
Additionally, the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election will not be conducted this time, as members were already elected in a previous election.
“Increase Tamil medium classes in Colombo national schools” – Mano Ganesan
Virakesari, Thinakaran Tamil Progressive Alliance MP Mano Ganesan urged the Education Ministry to increase Tamil medium classes in the three major national schools in Colombo and create a special zone by merging Tamil schools and Tamil medium sections in national schools. He made this request during the Budget debate on the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training. Ganesan pointed out the reduction of Tamil medium classes in Royal College, D.S. Senanayake College, and Isipathana College. For example, Royal College has 8 Sinhala medium classes in primary school, but only 2 Tamil medium classes. |
Rohingya refugees stage protest
Virakesari, Thinakaran A group of Rohingya refugees staged a protest outside the UN Headquarters in Thummulla on March 10th, calling for urgent humanitarian assistance and long-term solutions. The refugees, who arrived in 2022, are currently residing with friends in Panadura, Colombo. They submitted a petition to the UN outlining their needs and requirements. Through placards and a communique, they highlighted the severe challenges faced by widows, orphans, pregnant women, and families. Another group of 100 Rohingyas, rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy in December 2024, is housed in an Air Force camp in the northeastern region. |
“Joint project for new industrial parks in the North to boost economic development” – Sunil Handunnetti
Thinakaran
New industrial and investment projects are being launched to develop the Northern Province’s economy, in collaboration with the Ministries of Finance, Industries, and Fisheries.
The projects aim to revive dormant factories like the Kankasanthurai Cement Factory, Oddusudan Factory, and Elephant Pass Salt Factory, as well as establish new industrial parks, including one at the Paranthan Chemical Factory in Mankulam.
Ministers Sunil Handunnetti, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and Harshana Suriyapperuma recently conducted a field inspection and held talks with factory officials to ensure smooth implementation.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Travellers Isle
Rs. 118 million worth deposit money for the cancelled LG election, released
Ada, Mawbima
Chair of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka R.M.A.L. Rathnayake stated that Rs. 118 million worth of deposits of candidates, which were submitted for the cancelled 2023 Local Government (LG) Election, have been returned to the former candidates so far.
Rathnayake added that measures are currently being taken to return the rest of the deposits to the relevant parties and independent groups.
Rathnayake further added that preparations for the next LG election are underway and that nominations are currently being accepted for it.
Minister Anura Karunathilaka explains how university teacher salaries are to be increased
Dinamina Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing Anura Karunathilaka explained in parliament yesterday (10th) how the salaries of university professors and teachers would be increased. He stated that the basic salary of a senior professor will increase from the current Rs. 139,175 to Rs. 237,530, and a professor’s salary will be increased from the current Rs. 117,350 to Rs. 198,280. The Minister made this statement while participating in the debate for the third reading of the Budget. Accordingly, the minister added that the total salary of a senior professor in a university will exceed Rs. 600,000. |
SLPP hasn’t been informed of Chamal’s plans to contest PS polls – Sagara Kariyawasam
Dinamina General Secretary of the SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam stated that former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa has not informed the party that he intends to compete in the Pradeshiya Sabha election from the Hambantota District. Kariyawasam, however, added that if Chamal Rajapaksa were to come forward to request a seat in the Pradeshiya Sabha elections, he would be happy to accept it. The SLPP General Secretary made this statement in response to questions posed by a group of journalists regarding Rajapaksa. |
Dollar reserves of the CBSL increase to USD 6,095 million
Divaina
The latest report issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) states that the official reserves of the CBSL have increased to USD 6,095 million.
Accordingly, a five per cent rise in reserves can be observed in comparison to the USD 6,065 million in reserves reported at the end of January last year (2024).
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“Halt the investigation: annul the order issued for my arrest” – A petition from Deshabandu requesting an interim injunction
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an interim injunction preventing his arrest.
The petition was filed through his legal representatives.
The Matara Magistrate’s Court recently issued a warrant for the arrest of the former IGP and the former IGP has reportedly gone into hiding while evading court proceedings.
The petition was taken up before a two-member Appeals Court Bench yesterday (10th).
The Judge Bench subsequently ordered that the petition be scheduled for further consideration on March 12, after notices are served to the respondents of the petition.
Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Devalaya questioned for three hours
DLankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari
The Basnayake Nilame [lay custodian] of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya, Dishan Gunasekara, yesterday (10th), provided a three-hour statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Gunasekara arrived at the CID in accordance with a recent summons issued by them for him to appear at the department to provide a statement.
The statement was recorded in relation to an ongoing investigation based on a complaint filed by a civil activist, concerning an alleged financial fraud involving the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Father of three who sent a 12-year-old girl to Jordan for work imprisoned for 12 years; compensation worth Rs. 300,000 awarded to the girl – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Virakesari, Thinakaran
2. Eran [Wickramaratne] to compete for the Mayor’s seat through the SJB from Colombo – Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural
3. Former Speaker Chamal [Rajapaksa] to contest Pradeshiya Sabha election – Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural
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