[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5196.5px” custom_margin=”||-277px|||” 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=”-36px|auto|-36px|67px|true|” 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: The “Unextinguishable Lamp” protest commences in Chemmani today; Shritharan states that it will make the situation clear to Volker | Iran condemns the US attack on its nuclear facilities as a heinous act that violates international agreements and sovereignty Thinakaran: 300 top-performing students of the A/L exam from the Northern Province each receive Rs. 100,000 from the President’s Fund | A focus on digital teaching as a solution to the shortage of teachers | 15,000 vehicles affected by the lack of number plates |
Thinakkural: “Was the Mullaitivu fisher murdered? Cannot shed blood in our seas anymore; deaths cannot be acceptable; the government should prevent an ethnic conflict” – Jaffna fisherfolk demand | “Our war starts now” – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) | Radioactive leak: A nuclear tragedy due to US strikes? Thamilan: The US strikes Iran’s nuclear sites; war tensions in the Middle East; Tehran pledges retaliatory action |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: Two electricity projects halted due to interventions by the CPC? Investors also show no interest | Fuel prices increased: Iran closes the Hormuz shipping lane; interruptions to fuel exports from the Middle East Divaina: Iran must establish peace right now, if not, future attacks could become more serious” – Trump | “We will end this criminal American behaviour” – Iran Ada: Three dead and 32 injured from the Dunhinda bus accident: The pilgrim who drove the bus causing three deaths, remanded; the police say that the permanent driver who has been hospitalised will also be arrested; the bus toppled after its speed could not be controlled; the governor of the Uva Province and the mayor of Badulla intervene to aid with the last rights of the dead and to provide food and shelter for the relatives of those who died |
Mawbima: The US strikes three Iranian nuclear strongholds: “The US and Israel have made us cross our red line” – The Iranian foreign minister; “Trump, who came to deliver peace, started a war” – Russia; “Commit to peace” – The pope requests Dinamina: “Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s Siriliya account is a fake: Rs. 800 million received; the mandate document, missing” – Deputy Minister Watagala states in parliament Aruna: Red alert from Iran to the US after attacks on three nuclear facilities: “Retaliation will escalate future attacks” – Trump | “The US violated international conventions” – Iran; The Iranian foreign minister to meet Putin Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
The “Unextinguishable Lamp” protest to commence in Jaffna today | Invitation from Sumanthiran [to participate] | Shritharan states that it will make the situation clear to Volker
Thinakkural, Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakaran
A three-day continuous protest named the “Unextinguishable Lamp” (Anaiyaa Vilakku) has been organised in Chemmani, Jaffna, from today (23rd) onwards. It is expected that the protest will draw the attention of visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
Virakesari, Thinakkural: ITAK MP S. Shritharan claimed that as Türk is visiting Sri Lanka today, the “Unextinguishable Lamp” protest will make the situation clear to him. Shritharan also added that everyone has the responsibility to participate in the protest.
Thinakaran, Thamilan: ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran has also invited party members and others to participate in the protest, which will demand international justice for those buried in the Chemmani mass grave and urging the excavation of the mass graves under international supervision.
Landowners launch protest in Myliddy, Jaffna
Thamilan, Thinakaran Landowners have launched a continuous protest in Myliddy, in Valikamam North, Jaffna, since Saturday (21st), demanding that the government release 2,400 acres of land. The landowners claim that the lands have been occupied by the military for over 30 years. |
“The UNHRC chief should visit the East as well” – Shanakiyan
Thinakkural ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam claimed that he is expecting a chance to meet visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to request him to visit the East to view the mass graves and include them in the investigation process. Shanakiyan added that mass graves have not only been identified in the North but also in the East, and stated that a protest has been organised in Batticaloa today (23rd) evening in solidarity with the “Unextinguishable Lamp” protest due to be launched in Jaffna.
|
300 top-performing students of the A/L exam from the Northern Province each receive Rs. 100,000 from the President’s Fund
Thinakaran
As part of a newly launched initiative to honour high-performing students of the 2023/2024 G.C.E. A/L examination at the district level, the President’s Fund hosted an awards ceremony yesterday (22nd) at the Iranamadu Nelum Piyasa Auditorium in the Northern Province to grant each student Rs. 100,000 from the President’s Fund. Under this initiative, 300 students from the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya, specifically 60 students per district, including the top 10 students of each subject stream, were recognised and presented with financial awards for their outstanding academic performance.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
The committee on Deshabandu to meet today: Deshabandu to provide evidence
Ada, Dinamina
Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon is scheduled to testify today (23rd) before the investigative committee appointed to examine allegations of misconduct and the alleged abuse of power in the execution of his duties. Accordingly, the committee, tasked with probing the alleged irregularities and serious misuse of authority by the IGP, is set to convene today at the parliamentary complex. The attorney appearing on behalf of the IGP informed the committee that 15 witnesses representing the respondent’s party are expected to appear before the committee over three days.
Using Rs. 27.5 million from the President’s Fund: “Do not destroy my character, which is not associated with fraud and corruption” – Sirisena
Dinamina, Aruna Former President Maithripala Sirisena has stated that he is willing to appear before any investigation regarding the complaint filed against him over alleged fraud and corruption related to the construction of a building in Eppawala. Issuing a statement, Sirisena stated that the complaint submitted to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) is entirely false. He emphasised that the claims mentioned in the complaint are completely untrue and misleading, and noted that this clarification was being made to inform the public of the matter. The former president strongly rejected what he described as a character assassination campaign based on false allegations, reiterating that he has no involvement in any form of fraud or corruption. |
“Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s Siriliya account is a fake: Rs. 80 million received; the mandate document is missing” – Deputy Minister Watagala states in parliament
Dinamina Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala stated in parliament that investigations will be reopened into the alleged fraudulent bank account maintained under the name “Siriliya Saviya” by Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the spouse of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He further claimed that the mandate document related to the bank accounts of the Siriliya organisation has been deliberately stolen from the bank in a conspiratorial manner. Watagala added that the account in question has also received a sum of Rs. 80 million. |
The NPP secures power over 192 local government bodies
Dinamina
The NPP has, at present, succeeded in securing power over 192 local government institutions across the country. Out of these, the NPP has obtained an outright majority in 151 institutions. In a further 40 bodies, it has established control either through forming alliances or by securing a majority during the election of office-bearers. Despite not having a majority in the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, the NPP has managed to bring it under its administration, increasing the total number of local bodies it governs to 192. The NPP now holds control over several key municipal councils, including Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Kurunegala, Puttalam and Nuwara Eliya.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ynetnews
The US bombs and destroys three nuclear facilities in Iran
Lankadeepa, Ada, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Viakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Foreign media reports state that the US has intervened in the Israel-Iran conflict, during which bombs were dropped on three of Iran’s main nuclear facilities. The attacks targeted the Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow nuclear sites. According to further reports, the US is believed to have used B-2 bombers, the world’s largest strategic bombers, to carry out the strikes.
Responding to the attacks, Iran stated that the US violated international conventions and that it will bring an end to the criminal behaviour of the US.
The Sinhala newspapers highlight that US President Donald Trump stated that Iran must establish peace now, as failure to do so would result in future attacks on Iran becoming worse.
The UN high commissioner for human rights to arrive in Sri Lanka today
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism announced that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (23rd). Türk will remain in the country until June 26, marking the first visit by a UN high commissioner for human rights to Sri Lanka since February 2016. During his stay, the high commissioner is expected to meet the president and the prime minister, as well as to hold discussions with the minister of foreign affairs, other cabinet ministers, MPs, senior government officials, religious leaders, civil society representatives, members of the diplomatic community and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL). Additionally, Türk will travel to Kandy, Jaffna and Trincomalee, where meetings with the governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces have been scheduled. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism stated that the visit will involve substantive discussions focused on advancing the promotion and protection of human rights and reconciliation, and on the cases of missing persons.
Additionally, the Tamil press highlights quoting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath that permission would be granted for Türk to visit the site of the Chemmani mass grave and to meet people without any hurdles.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Facilities provided together with the Indian government for Sri Lankans who want to leave Iran | Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath expresses gratitude to India for coming forward to evacuate the Sri Lankans trapped in Iran – Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakaran, Virakesari
2. Sending people to jobs in Israel halted | The visas of Sri Lankans in Israel extended – Lankadeepa, Aruna, Virakesari
3. The AG goes to the CID on account of the AG’s department being slandered – Lankadeepa, Thinakaran
4. The Dunhinda bus accident: three dead, 33 injured – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
[/paywall]
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]