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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Racism resurfacing in the North and the South; president’s statement at war victory ceremony; claims that war victory was used for political power | Consensus to form governments in the councils where the opposition got majority; Sajith, Madduma, Lakshman, Mujibur – Thalatha, Sagala, Wajira and Ruwan discussed Thinakaran: “War is a tragedy, we will not allow such a tragedy to occur again in our country; ready to take all steps for peace” – President states at the war victory event |
Thinakkural: Ranil and Sajith teams agree to form coalition governments in LG bodies; decide to engage in talks with others who could be willing to join them | Mahindananda in [remanded] and Chamara out [bailed] | “Accountability issues: Successive rulers abandoned armed forces; sanctions effectively prevented me from travelling to South Asian countries as well” – Shavendra Silva Thamilan: “Let us all unite for peace” – President Anura appeals at the National War Heroes’ Day | Bail for Chamara Sampath | Final decision on increasing electricity tariff by 18% next month | Imported salt to arrive tomorrow; Minister Wasantha announces |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The Chinese fertiliser consignment: the Chairs of the two fertiliser companies have been pressured by Mahindananda: Letters of Credit requested before environmental reports arrived; he said that the treasury will take care of it if the companies were harmed – CIABOC tells the court | Must be imported; our stocks cannot be sold; 17,000 tonnes of sugar piled up in Pelwatte sugar factory | UNP – SJB unite to establish power over LGs Divaina: Importing sub-standard fertiliser from China: Mahindananda remanded; “all responsibilities were under the Ministry of Agriculture” – President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa; “the government suffered a loss of Rs. 1.3 billion due to an act committed by the suspect that he should not have committed, now you can’t save yourself saying that you are not responsible” – CIABOC | “We are indebted to you: let us create a country where no war will ever happen again; we are a nation that has spilt enough blood; we have experienced the pains and horrors of war” – President states during the National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ada: Mahindananda remanded over the Chinese fertiliser consignment: “all issues have come up when suspect pressured fertiliser company Chairs to reopen Letters of Credit” – CIABOC | Chamara Sampath granted bail: attends war hero commemoration after receiving bail |
Mawbima: Mahindananda remanded over case which cost Rs. 1.3 billion to the government in connection with the Chinese fertiliser consignment: “fertiliser companies were pressured to reopen Letters of Credit” – CIABOC; “the AG advised to reopen the Letters of Credit” – Defense Attorney | “Racism has started to rebel once again to establish power over the North and South” – President Dinamina: Mahindananda, Mervyn and Prasanna remanded; Chamara and Milan granted bail | “Will not allow the breakout of another war; will defeat the racism that is on the rise in the North and South, intending to establish power” – President states at National War Heroes’ Commemoration Aruna: “Toy gun play by small groups will be stopped” – President states during the National War Heroes’ Commemoration Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
President meets five independent groups to get power at the Colombo Municipal Council
Thinakkural, Virakesari
It was reported that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday (19th), met the leaders of the five independent groups who contested in Colombo and secured nine seats, to receive their support to form the government in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).
Virakesari reported that the independent group headed by K.T. Kurusami met the president and extended its support.
“War victory celebration without resolving the root causes?” – Mano GanesanVirakesari SJB MP Mano Ganesan claimed that the Sri Lankan national journey should reach the patriotic destination where we, as Sri Lankans, should be able to commemorate all our dead souls and, if need be, victory over all kinds of terrorism, state and non-state, and incidents that occurred in the South and North of the country. Taking to X, he added that to reach this destination, the state of Sri Lanka should address the root causes of the 30-year war with an inclusive approach. |
“ITAK does not disrupt the unity of other parties” – C.V.K. Sivagnanam
Thinakkural Leader of the ITAK C.V.K. Sivagnanam claimed that the ITAK does not disrupt the unity of other Tamil nationalist parties when they unite for the people. He added that Leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam accuses the ITAK of disrupting the unity of other Tamil parties. Refuting his claim, Sivagnanam stated that his party is prepared to collectively discuss matters at the right time. |
“Accountability issues: Successive rulers abandoned armed forces; sanctions effectively prevented me from travelling to South Asian countries as well” – Shavendra Silva
Thinakkural
Speaking on a TV interview, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, claimed that successive governments since 2009 failed to counter unsubstantiated war crimes accusations.
He added that the failure on the part of them led to punitive international measures against senior officers who spearheaded the offensive against the LTTE.
He further added that the US travel ban imposed on him, his wife and two daughters in February 2020 and the British sanctions declared in March this year, had effectively restricted his overseas travel to South Asia.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily FT
Pelwatte Sugar Factory at risk of being shut down
Lankadeepa, Ada, Aruna
Chief Mission Officer Nuwan Dharmaratne stated that 16,500 MT of sugar produced at the Pelwatte Sugar Factory owned by the Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Limited, are lying piled up in storage following a decrease in sales.
Further, he stated that the Pelwatte Sugar Factory is facing a risk of not being able to continue operations due to the decline in ethanol prices, which is a by-product of sugar production.
Although sugarcane harvesting for the current season has already begun, if the existing sugar stocks in storage are not sold, the factory will not have the storage capacity to store newly produced sugar.
While the factory is scheduled to produce 34,000 MT of sugar this year, the unregulated importation of around 60,000 MT of sugar annually from foreign countries has led to a situation where sugar produced by local companies like Lanka Sugar is not being sold.
Mervyn Silva and Prasanna Ranaweera remanded once again
Ada, Dinamina Former Minister Mervyn Silva and former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera have been further remanded over an illegal property sale case. The Mahara Magistrate’s Court, yesterday (19th), further remanded the two individuals and three other suspects until May 26, 2025. Silva and Ranaweera are remanded over allegedly selling a plot of state-owned land in Kiribathgoda to a private party by forging documents. Former Minister Mervyn Silva was arrested by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials while at his residence in Battaramulla in March. Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera, who was evading arrest, was remanded after surrendering to the Mahara Magistrate’s Court on May 7. |
“All the forces of the opposition must unite” – Ravi Karunanayake
Dinamina MP Ravi Karunanayake emphasised the need for all opposition forces to unite against the government, particularly in strategic areas like gaining control of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). He stated that rather than making noise and acting impulsively, the opposition should work together behind the scenes in a coordinated and timely manner. He criticised the current approach of some members, arguing that many parliamentarians are failing to stand up for the country and that the existing strategies are ineffective. He urged the opposition to move away from empty rhetoric and fairy-tale narratives, and instead focus on practical efforts to move the country forward with unity and purpose. |
The Sri Lanka-France debt agreement will be restructured immediately
Dinamina
Following a meeting between the French Ambassador and the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, yesterday (19th), France has expressed its readiness to expedite the restructuring of its bilateral loan agreement with Sri Lanka.
During the discussion, the ambassador acknowledged the progress of Sri Lanka’s economic reform programme and reaffirmed France’s commitment to enhancing international cooperation with Sri Lanka.
In response to Sri Lanka’s request for a swift conclusion to the loan restructuring process, France confirmed its willingness to proceed in a mutually beneficial manner.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Azzam Ameen
“We are indebted to you: let us create a country where no war will ever happen again; we are a nation that has spilt enough blood; we have experienced the pains and horrors of war” – President states during the National War Heroes’ Commemoration
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The 16th National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony, held to honour the victory that marked the end of a war spanning over three decades, was conducted yesterday (19th) at the War Heroes’ Memorial in Battaramulla, under the patronage of Commander-in-Chief, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressing the gathering, stated that as a country, Sri Lanka has shed enough blood, so much so that our land is soaked with it.
He stressed that the Sri Lankan people are people who have endured the deepest pains and the most devastating destruction caused by war, and added that we must ensure that such circumstances never arise again in our country.
The president, who stated that the ‘war’ is synonymous with tragedy and devastation, added that as a nation that has endured this immense sorrow, we must ensure that such a conflict does not arise again.
The president stressed that at present it is evident that conflicts, racism and extremism have been strategically exploited in the South and the North to acquire, sustain and strengthen power.
He stressed that these issues have not emerged naturally; rather, they have been manipulated to secure authority and to obscure the wrongdoings committed.
The president stressed that the country will forever honour the heroes who sacrificed their lives to end the war and those who remain permanently disabled because of it.
He stressed further that the dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering courage of the soldiers will become their foundation and inspiration to rebuild this country.
President Dissanayake finally invited all to unite to launch a new struggle, a new battle for the peace and progress of the country.
UNP – SJB unite to establish power over LGs
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The SJB and the UNP have reached a preliminary agreement in relation to the establishment of power within Local Government (LG) bodies that have a majority for the opposition.
Accordingly, an agreement was reached during a meeting held between representatives of both the SJB and the UNP yesterday (19th).
According to a joint statement issued by the General Secretary of the SJB, MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara and General Secretary of the UNP, former Minister Thalatha Athukorala, the two factions discussed policy matters related to forming power within LG bodies.
Accordingly, they have agreed to form power in several LG bodies with the support of other opposition factions.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Mahindananda remanded over the Chinese fertiliser consignment: “all issues have come up when suspect pressured fertiliser company Chairs to reopen Letters of Credit” – CIABOC – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. Chamara Sampath granted bail: attends war hero commemoration after receiving bail – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Former MP Milan (Jayathilake), who was arrested by the CIABOC, granted bail – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural
4. Provide an investigation report on the suspected teacher concerning the Kotahena student’s case – Court orders the Police – Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
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