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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Motion to remove Deshabandu [Tennakoon] submitted to the Speaker; 115 ruling party MPs sign [it]; likely to be discussed in [the parliament] sitting on 8th | “[The UK’s ban] May become a ban against the country” – Dr. Prathibha Mahanamahewa warns of losing GSP | “Will the government protect the officials?” – MP Namal Rajapaksa questions Thinakaran: Chaos and heated arguments at Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting in front of hundreds of government officials; harsh words between MPs Archchuna and Ilankumaran; MP Shritharan walks out of the meeting due to continuous disturbance; mic of C.V.K. Sivagnanam, who tried to establish peace, was muted | “There is no threat to national security” –Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna confirms | Case against the ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka; final hearing in the Supreme Court of India |
Thinakkural: S. Viyalanderan arrested; remanded until April 1 | Britain imposed a ban; Wimal [Weerawansa] criticised the U.S. | Britain’s ban on four causes severe shocks in Sri Lankan politics! Many insist that the government should announce its stance | General Shavendra Silva himself ordered the killing of surrendering LTTEers – [Britain] Thamilan: Deshabandu [Tennakoon] to be removed from the post! A special motion submitted to the Speaker | “Britain’s ban is a pro-LTTE activity” – Namal [Rajapaksa] | Traders warn of rice scarcity during the festive season |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: A proposal from the government to remove Deshabandu: Four allegations; 115 MP signatures; to be brought to parliament on April 8 | The Indian manager who fixed the Pallekale match, imprisoned for four years: A Rs. 85 million fine; complainant Upul Tharanga to receive Rs. 2 million compensation; warrants on the defendant who was granted bail and fled the country | Professor Gananath ends his life’s journey | Former State Minister Viyalendran remanded
Divaina: A proposal to the Speaker with the signatures of 115 NPP MPs to remove Deshabandu: SJB to support the proposal | “Even though the LTTE war ended, the diaspora is still working to make the Eelam dream come true” – Karannagoda | “This is not justice; this is putting the harmony of our race at risk” – Namal Rajapaksa | “Britain must feel ashamed for imposing sanctions to satisfy the needs of the Tamil diaspora” – Former Minister Sarath Weerasekara Ada: 115 MPs make proposal to Speaker to remove Deshabandu from the post: “The Opposition agrees to the proposal” – Premadasa; “According to standing orders, it is not permitted to hold debates in parliament while there is an ongoing court case” – Gammanpila |
Mawbima: Yogi Patel who proposed match-fixing to Upul Tharanga imprisoned for four years: Case to be heard without the defendant; a Rs. 85 million fine; complainant Upul Tharanga to receive Rs. 2 million compensation | Former State Minister Viyalendran remanded for encouraging bribery Dinamina: Speaker receives MP proposal with 115 signatures to remove Deshabandu: SJB to also support Aruna: NCM with 115 NPP signatures to the Speaker against Deshabandu | “The SJB will fully support the NCM” – Premadasa Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: IBC Tamil
Brawl at the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting; Shritharan walks out
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
A brawl broke out between MPs Ramanathan Archchuna and Ilankumaran at the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting held yesterday (25th), leading to widespread disturbance. The argument escalated to personal criticisms and accusations between the two MPs. Following this heated argument between the two and turmoil in the meeting, MP Sivagnanam Shritharan, who was present at the meeting, walked out in displeasure. Following this, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, who was presiding over the meeting, took steps to control the chaos.
Thinakaran and Thinakkural quote Minister Chandrasekar as saying that whatever obstacles may come, the development process will continue.
Indian delegation of fisherfolk to engage in talks in Vavuniya today to discuss fisherfolk’s issues
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, A delegation of Indian fisherfolk arrived in Jaffna yesterday (25th) to hold talks with Sri Lankan fisherfolk regarding the Sri Lankan-Indian fisherfolk’s issue. The delegation will hold talks today (26th) with the aim of finding an amicable solution to the issue between the fisherfolk of both countries. Accordingly, a meeting between the two delegations will take place at a private hotel in Vavuniya. |
Responses from individuals and an organisation on UK’s ban on four Sri Lankans
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan Thinakaran, Virakesari: “I welcome the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom against Sri Lankan government officials. This is another important step towards accountability on the island” – Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Gary Anandasangaree. Virakesari: “We are delighted that after so many years the truth about these war criminals has finally been Thinakkural: “A ray of hope for the Eelam Tamils” – ITAK MP S. Shritharan. Thinakkural: “Great danger to unitary state from diaspora separatists; Britain’s ban announcements reveal that the separatist diaspora is more active, strategic and persistent than ever before” – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry. Virakesari, Thinakkural: “I welcome today’s announcement of sanctions on individuals accused of serious human rights abuses during the Sri Lankan civil war. I will continue to press for perpetrators to be referred to the International Criminal Court as called for by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights” – Thinakaran, Thamilan: “I have not been involved in human rights violations. Therefore, this ban will not affect me. It will not affect my politics either” – Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan (Karuna Amman). Thinakkural reports that National Freedom Front Leader Wimal Weerawansa criticised the United States instead of the United Kingdom for banning the four Sri Lankans. Virakesari: “The ban imposed on former members of the country’s security forces may even turn against the country in the future. Therefore, the government should seriously consider this matter” – Dr. Prathibha Mahanamahewa. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Mawratanews.lk
The Indian manager who fixed the Pallekale match, imprisoned for four years: A Rs. 85 million fine; complainant Upul Tharanga to receive Rs. 2 million compensation; warrants on the defendant who was granted bail and fled the country
Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
The owner and manager of Kandy Samp Army [cricket team], Indian national Yogi Patel, was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 85 million was imposed by the Matale High Court for attempting to bribe renowned Sri Lankan cricketer Upul Tharanga to fix matches at the Legends League Tournament held in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The court also ordered Patel to pay Rs. 2 million in compensation to Tharanga. It was revealed in court that Patel has fled the country evading the legal proceedings, but that a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Court orders to seize 19 luxury vehicles that cost the Customs Rs.1 billion
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna The chief magistrate of Colombo yesterday (25th) ordered the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to seize 19 luxury vehicles that were brought into the country evading Customs in 2017. The vehicles had been brought into the country by entering false data into the computing systems of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). Reportedly, the vehicles had cost the Customs and the Government of Sri Lanka Rs. 1 billion in taxes. Accordingly, orders were issued to immediately seize and handover the luxury vehicles to the Customs. |
Rs. 12 million recovered from former ministers and MPs who avoided paying electricity bills
Dinamina A report issued by the Auditor General’s Department (AGD) states that it has been possible to recover a sum of Rs. 12.01 million from the outstanding electricity bills amounting to Rs. 12.21 million that should have been collected from the official residences where former ministers and MPs lived during the previous government. A sample audit conducted by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had revealed that 46 ministers and MPs had avoided paying electricity bills. Accordingly, the electricity supply to these 46 MPs’ residences had been disconnected at the end of 2023 and the relevant MPs have been classified as debtors. |
Export income hits Rs. 410 billion
Dinamina
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announced that the country’s total export earnings increased to Rs. 410 billion (USD 1,382.53 million) in February, achieving significant growth. A recent report released by the CBSL indicates that total export earnings, including both merchandise and services, have increased, representing a significant increase of 4.62% compared to February 2024. Merchandise exports were estimated to have grown by 3.9 % in the first two months of 2025, reaching USD 2,109.19 million.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: DailyFT
A proposal from the government to remove Deshabandu: Four allegations; 115 MP signatures; to be brought to parliament on April 8 | “The SJB will support this proposal” – Premadasa
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
115 MPs of the government party yesterday (25th) handed over a signed proposal to the Speaker calling for the removal of suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. Tennakoon is currently in remand custody in connection with a high-profile shooting incident that occurred in front of a hotel in Weligama in 2023. The proposal is said to be brought forth in parliament on April 8.
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Aruna and Thinakaran quote Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa as stating that the Opposition fully supports this move.
Former State Minister Viyalendran remanded
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Former State Minister S. Viyalendran was taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). Viyalendran was remanded until April 1 on charges related to bribery and corruption. The former state minister was presented before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where the decision to remand him was made.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “This is not justice; this is putting the harmony of our race at risk” – Namal Rajapaksa – Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. “Four of my friends were present when a fight broke out in a nightclub. I am not in any way connected to that fight” – Yoshitha provides three-hour statement regarding the nightclub fight – Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
3. “Britain must feel ashamed for imposing sanctions to satisfy the needs of the Tamil diaspora” – Former Minister Sarath Weerasekera – Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakkural
4. “Tell the world what the president’s stance on the British ban on [four including] Shavendra is” – Sagara Kariyawasam – Lankadeepa, Thinakkural
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