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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Will reveal names of political parties linked to the underworld” – Minister Wijepala | Ranil and Maithri hold secret meeting | Keheliya’s son arrested | “I will urge the prime minister to withdraw the gazette” – MP Gajendrakumar Thinakaran: “Sri Lankans must not be divided along ethnic lines again” – Minister Chandrasekar makes special appeal to Canadian high commissioner. Minister Chandrasekar emphasised national unity in a meeting with the Canadian high commissioner, and warned against ethnic divisions. He also raised concerns over the fishing community’s struggles, development efforts and livelihood issues in the North | Passport office to open in Jaffna very soon; instructions to expedite work | G.C.E. Advanced Level examination results: “Appropriate action will be taken to ensure that students are not treated unfairly” – Prime minister |
Thinakkural: “Please provide us with justice for the genocide and a permanent political solution” – MP Shritharan urges the Canadian high commissioner on behalf of the Eelam Tamils | “Today in the North, tomorrow in the East; the Land Settlement Ordinance must be torn up” – MP Nizam Kariyappar voices strong opposition | “Is the government attempting to dismantle the multi-party system and establish a one-party state?” – MP Sathyalingam questions | “We are not like the Rajapaksas and Ranil” – Minister Bimal addresses Tamil political parties | Shutdown of Thamilan: Thousands lose jobs as Katunayake garment factory closes; U.S. tariff hike impacts industry | Ban on special decorations on buses: Strict action from July 1 | Compensation for ‘Next’ factory employees: Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe announces upcoming negotiations | 21,000 dengue cases reported with 10 deaths; red alert issued for 1,400 areas | “If factories close, a major crisis will erupt in 2028” – Sajith warns in parliament | Card payments now accepted on Sri Lanka’s expressways |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: A loss of Rs. 8 million caused by appointment of 15 individuals to unnecessary (merely nominal) posts; Keheliya’s son has influenced the sending of money to relatives – CIABOC informs the court; remanded till June 3 | Repairs necessary for the parliament, Presidential Secretariat and the Independence Square; water damage caused to the interior of the parliament; the Presidential Secretariat is deteriorating; the pillars of the Independence Square are cracked Divaina: Shooter involved in Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murder, who was in custody for three months, remanded; driver to be held in custody till May 23 | Keheliya’s son Ramith remanded till June 3 Ada: Keheliya’s son also remanded over causing a loss of Rs. 8 million by appointing 15 individuals as merely nominal private assistants of Keheliya |
Mawbima: Keheliya’s son Ramith has misappropriated money by using 15 names – A complaint from the CIABOC; suspect to be remanded till June 3 | CEB prevented from being broken into 16 parts: Act amendment to parliament tomorrow Dinamina: Keheliya’s son Ramith Rambukwella remanded: three cases filed by the CIABOC against the suspect Aruna: Used pampers are being seperated from garbage trucks in seven municipal councils in the Colombo District: if separated, they can be used to generate electricity – Kadirana waste yard Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“Please provide us with justice for the genocide and a permanent political solution” – MP Shritharan urges Canadian high commissioner on behalf of Eelam Tamils
Thinakkural, Virakesari
Leader of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) in parliament MP Sivagnanam Shritharan formally thanked the Canadian government for establishing the Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton, calling it a historic and symbolic gesture for the Eelam Tamil community. He personally handed over a letter of gratitude to the Canadian high commissioner, praising Canada for being the first country to officially recognise the atrocities against the Tamils as genocide. Unveiled in May, the monument was described as a powerful symbol of healing. Shritharan highlighted the continued struggles of Tamils since the war’s end, including cultural suppression, land issues and the absence of a political solution. He urged the international community to follow Canada’s lead by recognising the genocide, demanding justice and supporting accountability. Canada’s actions such as sanctions on Sri Lankan leaders and asylum for Tamil refugees were acknowledged as signs of genuine solidarity. Shritharan concluded with hope that the monument would stand as a lasting symbol of justice and international support for the Tamil cause.
“If factories close, a major crisis will erupt in 2028” – Sajith warns in parliamentThamilan The leader of the opposition, addressing parliament, highlighted a critical economic issue: the sudden closure of a major garment factory in Katunayake’s Free Trade Zone, which |
“Today in the North, tomorrow in the East; the Land Settlement Ordinance must be torn up” – MP Nizam Kariyappar
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“Sri Lankans must not be divided along ethnic lines again” – Minister Chandrasekar makes special appeal to Canadian high commissioner. Minister Chandrasekar emphasised national unity in a meeting with the Canadian high commissioner and warned against ethnic divisions. He also raised concerns over the fishing community’s struggles, development efforts and livelihood issues in the North.
Thinakaran
Minister Chandrasekhar emphasised the need to prevent ethnic divisions in Sri Lanka and highlighted the importance of Canada’s cooperation to address challenges faced by the fishing community, especially in the North. During a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh, the minister discussed national unity, ongoing development efforts for marginalized northern communities and the hardships many face, including poverty, debt and inadequate housing. He stressed that the current government is committed to ending discrimination and fostering harmony, warning against forces attempting to stir ethnic tensions. High Commissioner Walsh expressed Canada’s full support for Sri Lanka’s reconciliation and anti-corruption efforts, praised the government’s strong mandate and showed interest in future collaboration on fishing and aquaculture.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Name proposed by the president for the auditor general’s post rejected
Ada, Aruna
A proposal submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to appoint a nominee to the post of auditor general was defeated yesterday (21st) at the meeting of the Constitutional Council, receiving a majority of votes against it. According to reliable sources, the proposal received only three votes in favour, while five members voted against it. The representative of the minority parties abstained from voting, and all three civil society representatives on the council reportedly opposed the nomination. The president had proposed the name of a current director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for the position. However, due to a lack of consensus within the council, a vote was required. The term of the current Acting Auditor General Dharmapala Gammanpila is set to expire today (22nd).
Easter Sunday attacks: Compensation worth Rs. 310 million paid to 661 victims – AG informs the SC
Lankadeepa, Dinamina The Attorney General (AG) informed the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (21st) that over Rs. 310 million has been paid in compensation to 661 individuals affected by the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. This payment was made in compliance with the SC’s earlier ruling on a series of Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed against former President Maithripala Sirisena and several others. The court had held them accountable for failing to prevent the attacks despite receiving prior intelligence warnings. The AG further noted that 99.78% of the total compensation amount which amounted to Rs. 311 million recovered from the respondents has now been disbursed to the victims. |
“Who are the underworld friends of the SJB?” – Sajith Premadasa
Mawbima, Dinamina Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday (21st) called on Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala to disclose the names of SJB politicians who are allegedly linked to underworld networks. Speaking during a parliamentary debate, Premadasa demanded that any and all information regarding members of the SJB who are purportedly maintaining connections with criminal underworld elements be made public. He emphasised the importance of transparency, particularly if individuals holding leadership positions within the party are implicated. Premadasa firmly rejected claims that the SJB has ties to the underworld and urged the government to present accurate and substantiated facts. |
Minister Bimal Rathnayake presents the preliminary action plan on national road safety
Dinamina
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COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Newswire
Ramith Rambukwella remanded: A loss of Rs. 8 million caused by appointment of 15 individuals to unnecessary posts; Keheliya’s son has influenced the sending of money to relatives – CIABOC informs the court; remanded till June 3
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Ramith Rambukwella was remanded until June 3 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali in connection with an alleged financial misconduct case involving former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. The order was issued after he was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and produced before the court yesterday (21st) when he appeared before the CIABOC to provide a statement. The case pertains to the period between 2021 and 2023, during which Keheliya Rambukwella held the portfolios of mass media, health and environment. It is alleged that 15 close associates of the former minister were appointed to his personal staff and that their salaries and overtime payments which were funded by the respective ministries were misused to cover personal expenses and political activities. The alleged misuse is said to have caused a financial loss exceeding Rs. 8 million to the state. Ramith Rambukwella is accused of aiding and abetting in this misconduct, and was taken into custody prior to being presented in court. Further investigations are ongoing.
“Schools are short of 40,000 teachers” | “G.C.E. Advanced Level results: Measures to be taken to assure that children are not treated unfairly” – PM Amarasuriya
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced in parliament yesterday (21st) that there are currently approximately 40,000 teacher vacancies in the country. She stated that efforts will be made to recruit at least a portion of the required teachers during the latter half of this year. Amarasuriya noted that ongoing court cases have significantly contributed to delays in recruiting qualified graduates into the teaching profession. Responding to a question raised by opposition MP Mujibur Rahuman of the SJB, the premier further addressed concerns regarding students whose results of the recent G.C.E. Advanced Level examination were withheld. She confirmed that the review process for these students has now been completed, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) will be notified accordingly. She added that measures will be taken to ensure that none of the students who sat for the examination will be treated unfairly. Additionally, the time period for university applications will be extended to ensure eligible students have adequate time to apply.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “Sufficient salt to be imported: Find other things to criticise about the government” – Wasantha Samarasinghe on salt – Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
2. Dates assigned for the Krrish case against Namal Rajapaksa – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Thinakaran
3. Factories owned by foreign investors shut down: 2,000 employees put out on the streets – Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
4. “Will reveal the names of SJB members who are connected to the underworld” – Minister Wijepala – Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari
5. “We appreciate the global support Sri Lanka is receiving to overcome the crisis in the country” | “4,642 doctors and nurses left the country during the period 2022 – 2025” – Nalinda Jayaissa states at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva – Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
6. Misappropriation of the President’s Fund: CID gains approval to investigate into bank accounts of Rajitha, Dayasiri, Keheliya and 12 other former MPs and ministers – Dinamina, Thinakaran
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