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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Tamil National Assembly and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) sign MoU to reject unitary rule and pursue full autonomy | Complaints filed against Minister Bimal at CIABOC over release of 323 containers | President Anura vows to dismantle the ‘Black Machine’ of corrupt businessmen | 240 Civil activists jointly demand repeal of Prevention of Terrorism Act without replacement | “Government will treat returning refugees with dignity ” – Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra | Mayors, deputy mayors, and chairpersons appointed to 166 local councils Thinakaran: “Misuse of public funds will lead to legal consequences. Many individuals evade taxes by leveraging political influence, but every citizen has a duty to meet their tax obligations,” President Anura Kumara at the National Tax Inauguration Ceremony | National security, border surveillance: Important meeting at the Ministry of Defense | Palaly – Ratmalana flight operations restart with successful pilot service | “No need to worry about the quality of immunoglobulin”- Health Ministry | Australian Defense Minister to visit today |
Thinakkural: Compass governs 151 councils solo; Sajith’s party has not formed a government in any council — Tamil party secures 6, National Congress 2, Muslim Congress and independent group take 1 each; 178 councils await decision | “We will form our government in the Colombo Municipal Council” – Mujibur Rahman | Tamil National Assembly and Democratic Tamil National Alliance sign MoU, pledge future collaboration | “Opposition parties will take control of Colombo Municipal Council” – Former UNP MP Saman Rathnapriya | Dengue, Chikungunya, COVID: Follow proper health and safety procedures Thamilan: Assets of 217 organisations and individuals frozen domestically and internationally — special gazette notification issued by Defense Ministry | Petition challenging certain provisions of the Electricity Bill scheduled for hearing on Friday | Tamil National Assembly and Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) sign principled agreement for policy collaboration | “We will assure the public that taxpayers’ money will never be wasted” – President Anura at “Badu Shakthi” event | Mahindananda (Aluthgamage) and Nalin (Fernando) allowed to meet relatives once a month | New coronavirus strain identified in Sri Lanka; authorities advise wearing face masks |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Bureau of Foreign Employment allocates one billion for ‘charity’ (spending with no accountability); Two programs launched with no clear plans or direction; Projects initiated before receiving Cabinet approval; Rs. 100 million missing from the ‘Rata Wiru’ housing loan scheme; No information available on recipients of the allocated housing Divaina: Gazette to announce first convening dates of 21 local government bodies without an outright majority, including Colombo| A ‘Bahirawaya’ (a gnome-like creature) that devours renewable energy to clear the path for thermal power plants! | “Our country may appear peaceful on the surface, but a hidden ‘shadow system’ continues to operate beneath. This underground network is run by organised smuggling rings. We will break this system” – President says, opening National Tax Week Ada: “No confirmation that the infant in Galle who died had new COVID-19 subvariant” – Director of Galle National Hospital | “It is a point of pride to me that I wasn’t addressed as Anudi but as ‘Sri Lanka,’” says Anudi, who showcased significant talent at the Miss World competition, at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport |
Mawbima: “Anyone unwilling to dismantle this ‘shadow system’ (of public fund theft) is free to step aside” – President tells officials at launch of National Tax Week | A group of students take legal action in Supreme Court over KDU medical faculty’s exclusion of local students Dinamina: “We will not misuse a cent of the taxpayer’s money” – President asserts implementing ‘Badu Shakthi’ (‘Your Tax – Your Future – National Tax Week’) program Aruna: Billion-rupee pyramid scheme promising online jobs exposed; pyramid scheme chairperson and executive officer remanded Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
The Tamil National Assembly and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) have signed a principled agreement to collaborate in the future towards establishing a federal constitution
Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural
The Tamil National Assembly, led by Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), with Nagalingam Ratnalingam as Secretary, have signed a principled agreement to collaborate toward establishing a federal constitution.
This constitution aims to recognise the merged Northern and Eastern provinces as the traditional Tamil homeland and ensure accountability for war crimes.
The agreement highlights the recognition of the Tamil people’s right to self-determination and the necessity of a fully autonomous political system in the Northern and Eastern provinces.
It emphasises the importance of inclusive constitutional arrangements that respect the rights of the Muslim community with Tamil as their mother tongue.
Both parties reject the 13th Amendment and the 2015 draft constitution, citing their failure to provide adequate autonomy.
They call for an international investigation into war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, explicitly rejecting domestic mechanisms.
The agreement also stresses the commitment to uniting all Tamil nationalist forces in pursuit of political unity, engaging the Tamil diaspora for broad support, and pursuing political goals through democratic processes and peaceful popular mobilisation.
Finally, the Tamil National Assembly and DTNA pledge long-term collaboration to advance Tamil political rights and justice.
This agreement marks a significant step toward unified Tamil political efforts and a just political solution to Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict.
Sri Lankan refugee released after controversial arrest upon return from IndiaVirakesari, Thinakaran A 75-year-old Sri Lankan refugee, who returned from India with UNHCR assistance, was released Monday by the Mallakam Magistrate’s Court following his arrest at Palaly Airport for allegedly “emigrating through a non-legalised port.” Former MP and Attorney-at-Law M.A. Sumanthiran criticised the arrest, noting that the man had obtained all required clearances and warning that such actions could discourage nearly 10,000 registered refugees from returning. Minister Bimal Rathnayake acknowledged that the arrest resulted from the automatic application of an outdated wartime law and stated the regulation should have been amended earlier. He confirmed discussions with Minister Ananda Wijepala about immediate legal reforms and recalled past efforts to support refugee citizenship rights. |
Complaint filed against Minister Bimal [Rathnayake] over release of 323 containers
Virakesari, Thinakkural Udaya Gammanpila’s party, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, has filed a complaint with CIABOC against the National People’s Power (NPP) Minister Bimal Rathnayake regarding the release of containers. The complaint alleges that 323 containers marked with red labels were released without Customs inspection on January 17 and 18, under the minister’s orders. The Hela Urumaya party accuses Minister Rathnayake of abusing his power by authorising the release of these containers without proper checks. There are suspicions that the containers may have contained weapons, explosives, or substandard drugs, potentially linked to the recent increase in shooting incidents across the country. Customs trade unions have also raised concerns about the harmful contents of these containers. Gammanpila’s party demands a thorough investigation into the minister’s role in the illegal release of these containers. |
Key meeting on national security and border surveillance held at the Ministry of Defense
Thinakaran
The ninth session of the National Border Management Committee (NBMC) was held on May 30 at the Ministry of Defense, chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defense.
The committee, established ten years ago with support from Canada and Australia, focuses on strengthening Sri Lanka’s national security and maritime border surveillance.
Key issues discussed included illegal migration, human trafficking, drug trafficking, extremist and terrorist activities, and cross-border organised crime.
Since its inception, the committee has held eight meetings, with this session being the first since 2021.
The Ministry of Defense emphasised the importance of structured border management amid changing global and regional security dynamics.
The Defense Secretary highlighted that robust border security is essential for national security and sustainable economic growth, particularly in promoting tourism and attracting foreign investment.
He called for the active and accountable participation of all relevant agencies.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Appeals Court suspends Magistrate’s order summoning CIABOC officers
Ada, Divaina, Aruna
On June 2, the Court of Appeal temporarily blocked a Colombo Magistrate’s Court order summoning CIABOC officers.
The original notice required their appearance on June 3 in connection with a lawyer’s statement.
The injunction, granted after a CIABOC petition, will last until July 23.
Speaker urges efficient cooperation in the lawmaking process
Mawbima, Ada Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne emphasised the importance of efficient cooperation between state institutions and Parliament in the formulation and presentation of laws, including ordinances. Speaking at a workshop organised by the Office of the Leader of the House, attended by ministry secretaries and public officials, he warned that strict action would follow if this collaboration is inadequate. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, also present, stressed Parliament’s role in communicating information to the public and called for improved accuracy and efficiency in government presentations to Parliament. |
“We lack a proper program to identify COVID-19-infected individuals arriving in the country” – Rohana
Aruna, Divaina The Chairperson of the Public Health Inspectors Association, Upul Rohana, has raised concerns over the lack of a proper program to identify COVID-19-infected individuals arriving in the country. Speaking amid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in India, Rohana warned that patients could enter undetected as Indian tourists are not being adequately screened for symptoms upon arrival. Highlighting the risk posed by the currently spreading COVID-19 subvariant, he emphasised that the country’s testing of symptomatic patients at the ground level is insufficient. Rohana called for enhanced measures, including conducting tests on travellers upon entry, to better detect and control the spread of the virus. |
Commission investigating Deshabandu to meet today
Dinamina
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The inquiry committee investigating allegations of serious abuse of power by Deshabandu Tennakoon will meet in Parliament today (June 3) at 2:00 p.m. Chaired by Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and including Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and Chairperson of National Police Commission E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, the committee last met on May 28 and scheduled further meetings for June 9 and June 11. Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, representing the Attorney General’s Department, has agreed to submit witness testimonies related to the Weligama hotel shooting incident via affidavits before today’s session.
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COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: PMD
“We will not misuse a cent of the taxpayer’s money” – President
Dinamina, Mawbima, Aruna, Ada, Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
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NPP controls 151 local councils; SJB yet to secure power
Dinamina, Mawbima, Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan, Thinakkural
Dinamina and Thinakkural report that the NPP has gained control of 151 local government bodies, while the SJB has yet to secure any.
The print media reported that a total of 161 councils have clear majorities, while 178 remain hung and will appoint leadership through internal votes supervised by commissioners.
The first meetings of 21 such councils, including Colombo, will be gazetted today.
A Gazette listing all elected members of the 339 councils has also been published.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Ministry of Health issues guidelines for new Covid subvariant – Dinamina, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. “SJB to nominate Riza Sarook for Colombo mayoral race” – Rahman – Mawbima, Divaina, Thinakkural, Virakesari
3. Electricity Board Engineers’ Union challenges Electricity (Amendment) Bill in Supreme Court – Aruna, Thinakaran, Thamilan
4. “We will be backing a party opposing the NPP in the Colombo Municipal Council” – (Sagara) Kariyawasam – Ada, Thinakkural, Thamilan
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