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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: 161 councils to form administrations today; the commission gives parties one week to form administrations in councils without a majority | The UN human rights commissioner to visit Sri Lanka | The 44th anniversary of the burning of the Jaffna Public Library, commemorated | No change in LPG prices | “Only a person from the opposition will be the mayor of the CMC; some things cannot be said openly” – Ajith P. Perera | “The government is taking serious efforts to entrap me” – MP Dayasiri Jayasekara Thinakaran: 161 local government (LG) bodies with majorities to form administrations today; LG bodies to convene under council commissioners to decide on the remaining councils | Two individuals confirmed to be infected with the new COVID variant | A rise in voluntary TIN registrations reported | Locally manufactured medicines to be exported overseas | Committees to remove dangerous trees: The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) decides | No bus fare revision scheduled for July | Australian defence minister to visit Sri Lanka | A.L.M. Athaullah elected as the Akkaraipattu mayor; U.L. Uwais appointed as the deputy mayor |
Thinakkural: The key obstacle to forming administrations [in local government bodies] in the North: Tamil parties unwilling to make concessions | President Anura faces intense internal pressure to reshuffle the cabinet | The term of office begins for local government bodies; the forming of administrations uncertain in 178 councils, possible only in 161 | Six former ministers to face bribery charges | Adverse weather affects 10,170 people; 2,710 houses damaged | “Diaspora Tamils should hold commemorations” – MP Gajendrakumar | Minister Chandrasekar expresses confidence in securing control over several councils in the Jaffna District Thamilan: Thailand’s Opal crowned Miss World 2025 |UN human rights commissioner Volker to visit Sri Lanka; plans to visit the North and to hold a few key meetings; one party to attempt to stage a protest in Colombo ahead of the visit | “The thirst of the Tamil people is for a self-determined nation” – The ITAK’s pradeshiya sabha members take oaths in Kilinochchi! | The government considering a Muslim ministerial post and a deputy minister for the East | “161 councils ready to resume work” – The commissioner general of elections | The public warned to stay cautious amidst a COVID outbreak and spread |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: An issue with appointing leaders, [the acitivities of] 178 councils delayed; the leaders of 161 local government bodies appointed | “Dengue and chikungunya have become epidemics; a new COVID variant is also spreading” – Specialist Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama Divaina: The members of 339 local government councils gazetted; only 161 councils able to convene as of today; 178 still unable to convene; councils without a 50% majority can convene only when the chairs set a date; ungazetted individuals cannot be appointed as members Ada: 161 local government bodies commence operations from today; the government and the opposition in a fierce battle for power over the 178 councils with no majority (including Colombo); commissioners must notify council members of meeting dates seven days in advance |
Mawbima: 161 local governments ready [to commence operations] today; chairpersons and vice-chairpersons announced through the gazette; the establishment of 178 councils delayed Dinamina: The leaders of 161 local government bodies appointed; the leaders of the 178 councils where there is no majority, to be appointed by the commissioner | The CID searches Pillayan’s offices; finds six rounds of ammunition Aruna: A COVID variant in Sri Lanka; instructions to wear masks Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The wesbite of the Ministry of Fisheries
“The NPP to form administrations in certain local government bodies in Jaffna; will serve as the opposition in others” – Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar
Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar announced that the NPP will form administrations in certain local government (LG) bodies in the Jaffna District, while serving as the opposition in others, where it will actively fulfil its role. The announcement was made during the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected NPP council members, held in Jaffna recently and attended by senior NPP leaders. Chandrasekar also urged all elected members of the LG bodies to perform their duties effectively.
Printing duties in prison for former ministers Aluthgamage and FernandoThinakaran, Thinakkural Sources report that former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Minister and Sathosa Chairperson Nalin Fernando, who were recently sentenced to 20 and 25 years in prison, respectively, for causing a loss of Rs. 53 million to the state, have been assigned to the printing section at the Welikada Prison. The two convicts are being held together in a separate ward away from the main prison area known as the “chapel”, where inmates convicted of serious crimes such as murder and rape serve their sentences. Prison officials explained that this arrangement was made to ensure their safety, given the possibility of political enemies targeting them. The legal teams of Aluthgamage and Fernando have stated that they are awaiting the certified copy of the judgment to prepare an appeal, which will be reviewed by the Supreme Court. |
“No Buddha statue at Ukanthamalai; some are exaggerating the situation” – MP Kodeeswaran
Thinakaran FAmpara District ITAK MP Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran has clarified that no Buddha statue has been installed on the seven-acre land of the historic Ukanthamalai Sri Murugan Kovil. Addressing widespread media reports, he confirmed that the statue in question is located on a mountain in a coastal area beyond Ukanthamalai, near a navy camp, and not within the temple premises. The statue has been there for several months, contradicting claims of its recent installation. Kodeeswaran criticised certain media outlets, social activists and politicians for exaggerating the situation without verifying facts. |
“The thirst of the Tamil people is for a self-determined nation”: The ITAK’s pradeshiya sabha members take oaths in Kilinochchi!
Thamilan
The oath-taking ceremony of the members elected to the Karaichchi, Poonagari and Pachilapalli Pradeshiya Sabhas as candidates of the ITAK was held yesterday (1st) morning at the Kilinochchi District office of the party. The newly elected local authority members representing the Kilinochchi District of the ITAK took an oath to uphold the party’s primary policy, which is the establishment of an autonomous Tamil state and the political, economic and cultural liberation of Tamil-speaking people of Sri Lanka. The members pledged to work collectively, putting aside personal preferences and social obligations, to fulfil their roles in the ongoing struggle for national liberation. They also solemnly paid homage to the martyrs and all individuals who lost their lives during the liberation war. The event was chaired by MP and Kilinochchi District Chairperson S. Shritharan.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
The government extends the ban on 15 terrorist groups
Lankadeepa, Divaina
The government has issued a gazette notification further extending the ban on the activities and assets of 15 designated terrorist organisations, including the LTTE, and 217 affiliated individuals.
The president pledges to tackle drug trafficking
Mawbima Speaking at an event on May 30, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake affirmed his commitment to fulfilling the solemn responsibility entrusted to him to transform Sri Lanka into a respected nation on the international stage, rather than one tarnished by political patronage and criminality. He also stated that measures are underway to strengthen the institutional framework necessary to combat illegal drug trafficking and related crimes. |
The CID searches Pillayan’s offices; finds six rounds of ammunition
Dinamina The CID, with STF support, raided the Batticaloa office of former Eastern Province Governor Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (alias Pillayan) on May 30, following intelligence on hidden firearms. Accordingly, officers recovered six 9 mm rounds, three mobile phones, a driving licence and a passport. Pillayan has been in the custody of the CID since April 8 under a 90-day detention order over the 2006 abduction of former Eastern University Vice Chancellor Prof. Sivasubramaniam Ravindranath. |
“The people are waiting for stolen wealth to be returned to the national economy” – Jayaweera
Dinamina
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Leader of the Sarvajana Balaya and MP Dilith Jayaweera stated that the public is still waiting for major corrupt figures to be held accountable and for stolen wealth to be returned to the national economy. Speaking to the media, he cited the imprisonment of former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando over the carrom board deal, noting that the ministers are now behind bars. He stressed that the public had voted to end corrupt politics and that the government bears the responsibility to honour and act on that mandate.
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COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
161 local government bodies to commence operations today
Dinamina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Ada, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
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New COVID variant detected in Sri Lanka
Dinamina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Ada, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Sri Lanka’s Medical Research Institute has detected two emerging Omicron subvariants, LF.7 and XFG, through routine genetic sequencing of hospital samples. Virologist Dr. Jude Jayamaha stated that the emergence of the variant is expected as the virus evolves and stressed there is no cause for alarm. Health officials continue to advise basic precautions, especially for high-risk groups, including wearing masks in public and avoiding large gatherings.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Severe weather affects 2,757 families and 10,270 individuals; 2,711 houses damaged – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari
2. The UN high commissioner for human rights to visit Sri Lanka – Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
3. “Sri Lanka should take practical steps to join BRICS and show genuine interest in Support from Russia and China” — Russian Ambassador – Aruna, Virakesari
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