6 June 2025 | Vol. 11, #96

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: Protest at Jaffna entrance demands international supervision of Chemmani mass grave investigation | “300 containers of Prabhakaran’s weapons delivered; information received from Germany” – MP Archchuna reveals in parliament | “If the ownership is confirmed, jewellery will be returned; if not, a public fund will be set up for development” – Minister Bimal | Provincial council elections amendment bill submitted | “Anura is responsible for the crisis in forming administrations in councils” – MP Mano Ganesan

Thinakaran: “People’s jewellery recovered during the war will be returned soon: You can get it by submitting the claim documents” – Minister Bimal Rathnayake | Teaching vacancies in estate schools to be addressed soon; next steps await court decision | AI technology system to be introduced soon to prevent bus accidents | Gold-plated gun issue: Duminda’s remand extended until June 19 | Anuradhapura female doctor case: Suspect’s request rejected by the magistrate | “It’s our duty to protect the environment for future generations” – President | Dengue and chikungunya rise in schools; special circular to prevent mosquito breeding | Rs. 27 million ceremony expenses under Rajapaksa govt. found to be fraudulent: Senior official arrested

Thinakkural: “300 containers containing weapons belong to LTTE and Prabhakaran” – MP Archchuna | “Why is the government supporting Israel, which backed the LTTE?”, asks MP Mujibur Rahuman | MP Mujibur Rahuman reveals secret entry of Israelis into Sri Lanka | “Intention is to set up a public fund so that the LTTE’s gold jewellery, which was not claimed by the public, can be used  for general development in the North” – Minister Bimal | ITAK seeks Douglas Devananda’s support; C.V.K. Sivagnanam meets Douglas Devananda

Thamilan: Demand to scrap India-Sri Lanka MoUs; SC sets fundamental rights petition hearing for 12th | “We will take action regarding Israeli religious sites“ – Minister Sunil Senevi | “Prabhakaran’s weapons are included in the 300 containers” – MP Archchuna’s shocking revelation in parliament | Ministry issues urgent letter to provincial education directors on mosquito control amid rising dengue, chikungunya cases in schools | Paramedical strike disrupts hospital services islandwide; demands urgent discussions | “Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) intends to contest provincial council elections alone” – Mano Ganesan

Lankadeepa: “Gotabaya must be held accountable for the Rs. 27.6 million concerning the Weras Ganga ceremony; name Bathiya and Santhush as suspects; prepared to provide confidential statement revealing everything; those days government officials had to preserve life in addition to saving their jobs; I was only given five days to do the ceremony” – Former general manager of the Land Development Corporation states in court | “A fine of Rs. 55 billion over delay to build the Central Expressway” – Bimal Rathnayake | “The time has come for the corrupt public mechanism to change; either you change, or we will change you” – President, at the World Environment Day 

Divaina: Woman who attempted to sell two-day-old baby for Rs. 75,000 imprisoned for seven years; “What the defendant has done is an act that brings misery upon the entire human race” – The judge | “I saw that a rail was broken, I used one of my daughter’s dresses to alert the train and stop it; I am happy that I was able to save the lives of many” – The hero of Moratuwa who prevented a railroad accident without considering the risk

Ada: The incident where Rs. 27.6 million was spent on the Weras Ganga  ceremony: Gotabaya must be named the main suspect of the Weras Ganga incident; “Bathiya and Santhush who profitted from the incident must also be named  suspects; prepared to provide confidential statement revealing everything” – Former general manager of the Land Development Corporation states in court

Mawbima: An individual who was sentenced to prison by the Anuradhapura High Court over financial fraud sent home on Vesak Day as a part of programme pardoning prisoners for Vesak | Principal to be punished if dengue is found on school premises – An announcement from the Ministry of Education

Dinamina: The Chinese fertiliser vessel incident: Shashindra questioned for seven hours

Aruna: Laws to regulate all vehicles including buses, three-wheelers and school vans

Anidda: Both sides still in discussions: neither the NPP nor the SJB has gotten the Colombo majority yet

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

Calls for international probe into genocide; protest demands justice for Chemmani mass grave

Virakesari, Thamilan

Excavations at the Chemmani Sindhupathi Hindu burial grounds in Ariyalai, Jaffna have revealed 13 bone
fragments so far, including one believed to belong to an infant under one year old. The court-ordered
excavation at the Sindhupathi Hindu Cemetery suggests the burial site may be significantly larger than initially assumed. On June 4, a small skull fragment believed to be from an infant was unearthed. Of the 13 fragments, five have been fully recovered, while efforts to retrieve the remaining continue. No clothing or personal belongings have been discovered. The third complete skeleton has been extracted and placed in the custody of the judicial medical officer. Justice A. Anandaraja oversaw the excavation on June 4, with work continuing the following day.

Virakesari and Thamilan also report that a protest was held in Jaffna demanding international oversight of the Chemmani mass grave excavation and urging that the investigation adhere to global  standards. Organised by families of the forcibly disappeared from the North and East, along with civil society representatives, the demonstration featured banners and chants such as “We want justice for the Chemmani grave”, “Don’t hide the graves” and “We want an international investigation into the genocide”. Participants included relatives of the missing, students from the University of Jaffna and many others.

“Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) intends contesting the provincial council elections alone” – Mano Ganesan 

Virakesari, Thamilan

The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) will contest the upcoming provincial council elections independently, to strengthen its political identity and better represent its core constituencies, TPA Leader Mano Ganesan announced at the recent oath-taking ceremony of local council members. Ganesan blamed the government for the deadlock in forming local council administrations, citing its failure to amend the Local Government Election Act. He reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to youth and gender representation, with 40% of candidates under 35 and 25% women. While
supporting anti-corruption efforts, Ganesan criticised the lack of economic progress and called for continued reforms to bridge inequalities between plantation and rural communities.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

Both sides still in discussions: neither the NPP nor the SJB has gotten the Colombo majority yet

Anidda

Anidda reports that even though both the NPP and the SJB have made statements that they will establish authority in the Colombo Municipal Council, neither of the parties has managed to secure a majority. The paper reports that discussions on the matter within both parties are being held currently. Reportedly 59 members are needed to secure the majority to establish authority. However, the NPP only has 48 members while the SBJB only has 29.

Weerawansa to support the SJB

Anidda

National Organiser of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Jayantha Samaraweera stated that the NFF, under the leadership of former MP Wimal Weerawansa, has decided to support the SJB when establishing power in Local Government (LG) bodies. He added that the support will be given in accordance with certain conditions, and that these conditions concern local governance.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS