[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5196.5px” custom_margin=”||-600px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5208.5px” custom_margin=”-15px|auto|-567px|auto||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5074px” custom_padding=”0px||30px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]
DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
|
Virakesari: Mahindananda sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment; Nalin Fernando gets 25 years of rigorous imprisonment | PCR testing increased: “We are vigilant about COVID” – Secretary of the Health Ministry | What is the reason for the cabinet reshuffle? – SJB | “The government has lost for the first time in local government elections” – Ranil | “The deadline for announcing the list of local council members is today; no extensions will be granted” – Chairperson of the Election Commission | “All three parties will hold discussions together” – Thinakaran: Bridges on the Northern railway to be reconstructed soon after MoU with India; services may be disrupted for a month | “New law needed to replace Prevention of Terrorism Act” – Harshana Nanayakkara | Weligama shooting incident: Witnesses summoned for Deshabandu’s trial on June 11 | “National tax programme to be launched on June 2 aiming to create new tax culture” – Additional secretary to the president | Mahindananda and Nalin sentenced to rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court in carrom board fraud case |
Thinakkural: Mahindananda gets 20 years, Nalin gets 25 years: two former ministers sentenced to rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court | Both Mahindananda and Nalin will appeal the sentences | “Sentencing has begun; many more will be caught” – Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe | “There was an attempt to arrest me” – Udaya Gammanpila | Former ministers and MPs are confused about who will be the government’s next target Thamilan: Nalin sentenced to 25 years, Mahindananda gets 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in carrom board scam; Colombo High Court issues landmark verdict | Duminda remanded | Ranil says new party reflects people’s expectations, vows to collaborate with other parties | PCR tests increase nationwide; hospitals under special surveillance to monitor COVID situation | Ven. Gnanasara Thera’s general amnesty to be reviewed by High Court; AG’s Department presents Maithri’s reasons to the court |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: The Sathosa carrom board case: Mahindananda imprisoned for 20 years, Nalin imprisoned for 25; a Rs. 600,000 fine; The country went bankrupt because of the misconduct of politicians and officials – CIABOC says in court Divaina: Prison sentences imposed on two former ministers with rigorous imprisonment: Nalin imprisoned for 25 while Mahindananda has been imprisoned for 20 years; The country went bankrupt because of such corrupt actions by high ranking officials of the government and government representatives – The trial-at-bar states while giving the verdict Ada: Former duo of ministers imprisoned for causing a loss of Rs. 50 million to the government by distributing carrom and checkers boards |
Mawbima: Nalin imprisoned for 25, Mahindananda imprisoned for 20 years: found guilty of Rs. 53 million fraud via the carrom and checkers boards case – High Court rules; The country has gone bankrupt because of the corrupt actions of politicians and officials the public has elected – The trial-at-bar Dinamina: The carrom board case: Sentenced with rigorous imprisonment; Nalin imprisoned for 25, Mahindananda for 20 years; people light firecrackers following the court verdict Aruna: Mahindananda and Nalin Fernando sentenced to rigorous imprisonment: 20 years for Mahindananda, 25 years for Nalin Anidda: 20 years for Mahindananda, 25 years for Nalin: Have caused a loss of Rs. 53 million to the government |Local governments to not be convened on June 2: establishing of control delayed |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
“New law needed to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act” – Harshana Nanayakkara | Civil society groups urge justice minister not to introduce a replacement for the PTA
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed. However, he stressed the necessity of introducing a new law to ensure national security, particularly against foreign threats. The comments came during a meeting with civil society representatives on May 29 regarding the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill. Civil society groups urged the minister to repeal the PTA without replacing it, citing the law’s history of misuse as a political tool to suppress dissent. They highlighted concerns about Tamil political prisoners detained under the PTA for extended periods, some reportedly held without charges for 15 to 16 years. These groups called for the immediate repeal of the PTA and the release of such detainees. Responding to these concerns, Minister Nanayakkara acknowledged the issues but emphasised that while the PTA will be scrapped, a new legal framework is essential to protect the country from external threats. He assured that the new legislation would aim to balance national security with human rights protections.
Northern chief ministerial candidate issue: Sivajilingam responds to MP GajendrakumarThinakaran Tamil National Party (sic) General Secretary M.K. Sivajilingam raised a pointed question regarding the upcoming Northern Provincial Council election. Referring to MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam’s remark that other parties might field a “thumputhadi” (broomstick) as chief ministerial candidate, Sivajilingam asked, “If the chief minister is a broomstick, then what are the MPs supposed to be?” This comes amid reports that former MP M.A. Sumanthiran is likely to be the Northern Province chief minister candidate for the ITAK. At a recent media briefing in Jaffna, MP Gajendrakumar had stated that if the election is held, his party will contest, and that other parties’ chief ministerial candidates might not be strong contenders, likening one to a broomstick. Sivajilingam’s response questioned the dignity and capability of the MPs in such a scenario. |
“Why shouldn’t Northern provincial lands be determined?” – Sarath
|
“There was an attempt to arrest me” – Udaya Gammanpila
Thinakkural
Former MP and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gammanpila has claimed that there is a political plot to arrest him, following his exposure of the alleged illegal release of shipping containers without customs inspection. At a press conference, he stated that legal teams linked to the National People’s Power (NPP) have lodged a complaint against him with the CID. Gammanpila said he had made a Right to Information (RTI) request about the contents of these containers but received no response, and accused Minister Piyal Nishantha of
authorising their release. He alleged that a rise in shootings and criminal activity occurred soon after the containers were released, hinting at a possible connection. He criticised the government and Customs for not properly investigating the matter, and instead targetting him. Recalling previous threats made against him for speaking about the Easter Sunday attacks, Gammanpila warned that efforts to silence him through intimidation or legal action would fail, vowing to continue his stand against corruption.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
U.S. Customs duties: Sri Lankan representatives commence discussions in Washington DC
Lankadeepa, Dinamina
Discussions with U.S. representatives regarding Sri Lanka’s efforts to obtain some relief from the tariffs imposed by the United States have begun in Washington DC. This is the second round of discussions between the Office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington DC and the Sri Lankan delegation on tariffs. The Sri Lankan Embassy in the U.S. states that a team including Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Harshana Suriyapperuma and Sri Lankan Ambassador to the U.S. Mahinda Samarasinghe are representing Sri Lanka for this purpose.
CIABOC questions Keheliya’s daughter for three hours
Dinamina, Lankadeepa The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) recorded a statement for approximately three hours yesterday (29th) from Amali Rambukwella, the daughter of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. The commission had issued the notice to arrive at the commission and provide a statement regarding a statement made by Nishantha Bandara, who served as the former minister’s coordinating secretary, that all the money received to his account was utilised by Rambukwella’s daughter Amali. |
“Provisions in the upcoming budget to meet the basic and urgent needs of the public” – President emphasises
Dinamina, Mawbima President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised the need to prioritise meeting the basic and urgent needs of the public at the district level when preparing the upcoming budget. The president made the statement during the discussion held between the president, District Coordination Committee chair and officials of the Ministry of Finance regarding obtaining ideas and recommendations for the 2026 Budget. Reportedly, several lengthy discussions on the development projects being implemented at the district level and on identifying infrastructure development and other urgent development needs of the people have also been held. The discussion was held yesterday (29th) morning at the Presidential Secretariat. |
Wimal Weerawansa’s illicit assets case postponed to July 15
Dinamina
|
The Colombo High Court yesterday (29th) ordered the case filed against Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa to be taken up on July 15. Weerawansa has been accused of owning approximately Rs. 75 million in cash and property that could not have been earned with his salary and other earnings during his five years as a minister. The defendant, who has been released on bail, appeared before the court when the case was taken up for hearing yesterday (29th) before the Colombo High Court.
|
|
|
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Newswire
Sathosa carrom board case: Mahindananda imprisoned for 20 years, Nalin imprisoned for 25
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Anidda, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
|
Ranil, in an attempt to form a new political party, states that he will give a chance to new faces |“The government has lost for the first time in the local government elections” – Wickremesinghe
Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The swearing-in ceremony of the members appointed by the UNP to local government institutions was held yesterday (29th) at the party headquarters in Pitakotte. Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing the gathering, stated that the UNP will be revamped and converted into a party with a new look. He added that it will be a party with discipline which everyone will want to join. Wickremesighe further added that everything the present government has done so far has been a failure, and this is clearly evident from the 2.3 million vote loss in the local government elections. Wickremesinghe informed that he had assigned a committee comprising Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Chair Vajira Abeywardena, Deputy Chair Navin Dissanayake and General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala to revamp and convert the UNP into a party with a new look.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Duminda remanded once again – Divaina, Dinamina, Ada, Anidda, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. Documents related to the presidential pardon granted to Ven. Gnanasara Thera were submitted to court – AG informs the SC – Aruna, Thamilan
3. PCR tests increased to track COVID spread – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
4. Period allowed to submit names of LC members ends today – Divaina, Virakesari
[/paywall]
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]