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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Balthazaar was elected as Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Mayor with 61 votes, while Riza Zarook, contesting as the opposition candidate, received 54 votes in the secret ballot | “The IMF will be a great partner for Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka’s experience offers important lessons to the world” – Gita Gopinath | Air India Boeing Dreamliner flight returns to Hong Kong due to a midair engine failure | “Thanks to the support of the IMF, which guided Sri Lanka’s comeback” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake| Israel-Iran conflict escalates; US aircraft carrier vessels deployed to Middle East Thinakaran: “To attract new investments, Sri Lanka is pursuing a people-centric economic agenda” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at IMF meeting | Colombo Municipal Council now under NPP — Vraie Cally Balthazaar elected as the Mayor with 61 votes, defeating opposition’s Riza Zarook (54 Votes); Hemantha Kumara appointed as Deputy Mayor | Opposition candidate Riza Zarook alleges bias in Colombo mayoral election | The government has officially responded to the allegations made by the Archbishop regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks |
Thinakkural: EAmidst a tight contest, the National People’s Power (NPP) secured control of the Colombo Municipal Council with a margin of seven votes — Vraie Cally Balthazaar was elected as the 26th Mayor, and Hemantha Kumara appointed Deputy Mayor | “President is directly involved in the secret deal” – Mujibur Rahman | Another act of vandalism has been reported on the Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton | “Secret deal behind mayoral shift” – Namal Rajapaksa | Secret ballot created opportunity for NPP; Commissioner acted in authoritarian manner – SJB | Vavuniya Municipal Council result: Sundaralingam Kandeepan has won the Vavuniya Municipal Council Mayoral seat, representing the Conch Coalition (Sangu) Thamilan: Colombo Municipal Council under NPP — Cally Balthazaar elected as Mayor via secret ballot | Gita Gopinath urges government to create legal environment to combat corruption | “Secret ballot: alleged planned conspiracy and high-level pressure” – Claims Riza Zarook | “IMF extended credit facility: this is the final working plan” – President Anura at the economic conference | Hearing on Sri Lanka–India MoU agreement postponed |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The Indo-Lanka agreement: SC orders AG to inquire facts from the Cabinet | NPP takes over Colombo: Balthazaar is the third female mayor Divaina: Balthazaar of the NPP secures the Mayor’s seat of Colombo; was chosen through a secret vote: 61 votes for Balthazaar and 54 votes for Riza; “let us join together and rebuild the country” – Balthazaar Ada: Government wins battle over Colombo: Balthazaar appointed as the 26th Mayor of Colombo with a majority of seven votes; Hemantha Kumara of the NPP unanimously appointed as the Deputy Mayor |
Mawbima: The Mayor of Colombo is Vraie Balthazaar: parliament heated over the secret vote: 61 votes for NPP’s Balthazaar and 54 votes for SJB’s Zarook | Membership of six SJB members cancelled due to objecting to the party’s stance when choosing the chair Dinamina: The SJB-UNP-SLPP-SLFP Sarvajana Balaya coalition defeated: Colombo mayoral seat to the NPP; Vraie Cally Balthazaar gets 61 votes, SJB’s Riza Zarook gets 54 votes: Hemantha Kumara appointed Deputy Mayor Aruna: Power of Colombo goes to Balthazaar amidst heated debates: the second woman to have been appointed as the mayor; NPP secures 61 votes while the opposition secures only 54 Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
2019 Easter Sunday attacks: The government has officially responded to the allegations made by the Archbishop
Thinakaran
Deputy Minister of Industry Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks have already been properly conducted.
He made this remark in response to concerns raised by Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, who expressed that the government had failed to uphold its promise to deliver justice for the victims of the attacks.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged the Archbishop’s right to voice such concerns and added: “It is our responsibility, as the government, to identify and reveal those responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks. Although we have faced setbacks in achieving this goal, we remain committed to pursuing justice. We are also concerned about the delay, but we are not discouraged by the Archbishop’s comments. There is nothing wrong with the statements he has made. Those responsible must be held accountable, and this continues to be the firm position of the government. For that reason, investigations are being actively pursued.”
Sundaralingam Kandeepan has won the Vavuniya Municipal Council Mayoral seat, representing the Conch Coalition (Sangu)
Thinakkural, Thamilan Sundaralingam Kandeepan of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance has been elected as the Mayor of the Vavuniya Municipal Council by a margin of one vote, while Parameswaran Kartheepan, also from the same alliance, has been elected as the Deputy Mayor. The election for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Vavuniya Municipal Council was held yesterday (16) at the Council Assembly Hall, under the chairpersonship of Mrs. Devanandini, the Northern Provincial Local Government Commissioner. The voting was conducted openly. Accordingly, Sundaralingam Kandeepan, who contested on behalf of the Sangu (Conch) Alliance, received 11 votes, while Sivasothi Sivasankar of the National People’s Power received 10 votes. Based on this result, Sundaralingam Kandeepan was elected as the new Mayor of Vavuniya. Following this, the election for the Deputy Mayor was held. Parameswaran Kartheepan, contesting on behalf of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance, received 11 votes, while Sivasubramaniam Premadasu, representing the Independent Group, received 10 votes. As a result, Kartheepan was elected as the Deputy Mayor of the Vavuniya Municipal Council. |
SJB has initiated legal action against the Western Provincial Commissioner, expressing strong dissatisfaction
Thinakkural, Thamilan The SJB has decided to take legal action against Western Provincial Local Government Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara for her controversial decision to hold a secret ballot during the Colombo Municipal Council appointment process. This action is seen as a direct violation of the official referendum guidelines issued by the Ministry of Public Administration. The move by Commissioner Jayasundara has sparked significant dissatisfaction within the opposition, leading to a special meeting chaired by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, where senior party members and legal experts reviewed the situation. Based on their advice, the SJB plans to file a case against her in the coming days and seeks to coordinate with other opposition parties to address this issue. Meanwhile, the party’s General Secretary, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, announced the suspension of six members of the Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha for failing to follow party directives during local council elections. The suspensions demonstrate the party’s commitment to maintaining discipline amidst the ongoing political challenges. |
Another act of vandalism has been reported on the Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton
Thinakkural
The Canadian Tamil National Council has strongly condemned the renewed attack on the Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton.
The council expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the deliberate vandalism that took place on the night of May 27th, marking yet another act of disrespect against this important monument.
Just days before, lights had been installed to illuminate and highlight key features of the monument, which honors the victims of the Tamil genocide.
The council emphasised that such repeated attacks not only damage a significant symbol of remembrance but also deeply hurt the Tamil community.
The latest incident, which occurred the day before yesterday, Sunday, underscores the urgent need for increased protection and respect for the monument.
The Canadian Tamil National Council calls on local authorities to thoroughly investigate these attacks and take strong measures to prevent further vandalism.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Newswire
Several local governments which no other parties have the majority over to go to the NPP
Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina
The NPP, yesterday (16th), secured authority over a number of local councils including the Ratnapura Municipal Council and the Puttalam Urban Council.
Among these, it is notable that the chairpersonship of the Puttalam Urban Council was officially secured by the NPP.
On that occasion, the name proposed by the SJB was rejected, and since there was no other name, the NPP was officially declared the winner.
Accordingly the NPP secured authority over the councils of Ratnapura, Puttalam, Dambulla, Kalpitiya, Medawachchiya, Meegahakiula, Galewela, Valikanda and Vavuniya South.
“The government has severely violated the local government guideline series” – Premadasa
Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna Leader of the Opposition and the SJB Sajith Premadasa, yesterday (16th), stated that the government has blatantly violated the Local Government Institutions Guidelines series. He further stated that in situations where no political party or independent group has obtained more than 50% of the total number of members in a local government institution, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government issued clear guidelines and criteria in 2025 for the selection of the chair and vice chair. He added that especially by following these guidelines, the SJB and the opposition gained power in several councils across the country in a proper manner. Premadasa stressed that the current government is now taking steps to change and implement the mentioned guidelines by exerting pressure. |
Membership of six SJB members cancelled due to objecting to the party’s stance when choosing the chair
Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna Due to not acting in accordance with the decision of the party management committee and the executive committee during the election of the chair and vice chair of the Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha, the party membership of six members of the SJB has been immediately suspended. Issuing a statement, General Secretary of the SJB, MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara confirmed that the party membership of the six relevant individuals has been immediately suspended. |
Legal action to be taken again 2,433 who have not submitted expense reports
Dinamina
The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to refer the names of 2,433 local government election candidates who failed to submit income and expenditure reports to the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) for legal action.
Chair of the EC, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake, stated that after the list of names is sent to the Acting IGP, further action will be taken based on the advice of the Attorney General (AG).
He further stated that, as of now, 7,690 individuals who contested the Local Government Election have submitted their income and expenditure reports to the EC.
He made these remarks in response to an inquiry made by Dinamina regarding the submission of income and expenditure reports following the 2025 Local Government Election.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: AsianMirror
The Mayor of Colombo is Vraie Balthazaar: the council heated over the secret vote: 61 votes for NPP’s Balthazaar and 54 votes for SJB’s Zarook
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Power over the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) was established yesterday (16th) when NPP’s Vraie Cally Balthazaar received 61 votes and was elected as the new Mayor of Colombo.
Hemantha Kumara of the NPP was also officially appointed as the Deputy Mayor of the CMC.
Vraie Balthazaar is the second female mayor of the CMC in history, while former Mayor Rosy Senanayake was the first female mayor appointed to the CMC.
Since no party or group that contested the Local Government (LG) election was able to secure a majority over the CMC, the inaugural meeting of the Council was held yesterday (16th) morning under the leadership of Western Provincial Commissioner of Local Government, Sarangika Kalhari Jayasundara.
With the nomination of two members for the position of mayor of the council, a heated situation arose regarding whether the vote should be held as a secret ballot or an open vote, but eventually all parties agreed to proceed with a secret ballot. Accordingly, Balthazaar was elected as mayor of Colombo after receiving 61 votes while Riza Zarook, who was nominated by the opposition, received only 54 votes.
IMF representative meets the president | “The anti-corruption bill is essential for Sri Lanka” – First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF Gita Gopinath
Lankadeepa, Ada, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dr. Gita Gopinath, yesterday (16th), affirmed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the IMF will continue to provide support for restoring Sri Lanka’s economy and for the government’s economic reform program.
The IMF delegation including Gopinath, who arrived in Sri Lanka, met with the president yesterday (16th) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, Gopinath stated that she is very pleased with the progress Sri Lanka has made so far from a severely crisis-ridden situation.
The Tamil press highlighted quoting Dr. Gita Gopinath, the need for Sri Lanka to establish a legal framework to support anti-corruption policies.
She noted that increased investment opportunities are linked to growing trust in the country’s governance.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. CWC supports NPP to establish authority over LG councils – Lankadeepa, Aruna, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. “We lost because a decision was made to go for a secret vote” – Riza Zarook – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. The Indo-Lanka agreement: SC orders AG to inquire facts from the Cabinet – Lankadeepa, Ada, Thamilan
4. “The JVP, which objected to secret votes before coming into power, requesting a secret vote to choose the mayor of Colombo is a joke” | “President is directly involved in a secret deal” – Rahman – Divaina, Thinakkural
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