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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Successive governments have failed in terms of accountability; your concerns will be reflected in the forthcoming report to the Human Rights Council” – Volker Türk | “The international community must come together to ensure that an investigation takes place in full compliance with international human rights law and standards” – UK MP Uma Kumaran urges Thinakaran: ”Rs. 110 Bn allocated for 2026 public sector salary increase; commitment to creating an attractive government service” – President | Photograph: The ’Sith Roo – 2025’ concert, organised by the Department of Social Services with the aim of elevating the aesthetic talents of persons with disabilities to a national platform, held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake |
Thinakkural: “Successive governments in Sri Lanka have failed to establish independent, strong and fair accountability mechanisms; my report to the UN Human Rights Council will reflect your concerns” – Volker Türk replies | “The international community must Thamilan: Complaint to be filed against the Speaker in Geneva! Opposition in action | No-confidence motion is being prepared against Aruna Jayasekera |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Shasheendra Rajapaksa remanded: CIABOC tells court he coerced officials into granting Rs. 8.8 million compensation for an unauthorised building burnt during the aragalaya Divaina: Shasheendra remanded; allegations of obtaining Rs. 8.8 million compensation through political pressure | “Chichi hasn’t caused a loss to the government through SupremeSAT; no government funds have been invested in him” – PM Harini Ada: Shasheendra who was arrested, remanded
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Mawbima: Former Minister Shasheendra remanded; CIABOC tells court he pressured officials and obtained Rs. 8.8 million compensation for Mahaweli Authority Dinamina: Shasheendra Rajapaksa remanded for collecting Rs. 8.8 million in compensation for an unauthorised building in Sevanagala damaged during the aragalaya; investigations ongoing into 43 others who received payouts Aruna: Shasheendra remanded for taking compensation for Mahaweli Authority property torched during the aragalaya; “Officials faced pressure for refusing payment” – CIABOC; “Rajapaksa name leaves a bitter taste for the CIABOC” – President’s Counsel Anil Silva Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
“Successive governments have failed in terms of accountability; your concerns will be reflected in the forthcoming report to the Human Rights Council” –
Volker Türk
Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural
In a letter to civil society representatives, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk acknowledged their correspondence regarding his recent visit to Sri Lanka. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with many of them and for the submissions he received. Türk stated that the issue of accountability for past and present human rights violations was a central focus of his visit, and will remain a priority. He noted that successive governments have failed to establish accountability mechanisms that are independent, fair, effective and meet international human rights standards, and he encouraged the government to move ahead with a comprehensive process to ensure truth, justice and accountability that enjoys the confidence of victims and the international community. Türk confirmed that he will advocate for complementary international strategies to advance justice for victims and that his forthcoming report to the Human Rights Council will reflect the concerns of civil society.
Court permits excavation of Sampur
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“Sri Lanka has become a colony of Israel” – MP Marikkar
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan SJB MP S.M. Marikkar accused the government of allowing Sri Lanka to become a colony of Israel. He stated that lands in the Pottuvil-Arugam Bay area are being acquired by Israel, and Israeli military personnel who are homicide offenders and war criminals are coming to Sri Lanka for mental relief. Marikkar also claimed that the government is providing free visas to these individuals and is taking no action against the hotels in the area that are exclusively for foreigners and not accessible to Sri Lankans. The MP questioned the government’s inaction, especially after coming to power on a platform of patriotism, and asked if the government would allow Arugam Bay to become a colony and a refuge for war criminals. |
Opposition parties decide to table a motion on appointing a parliamentary committee for a new constitution and an NCM against the deputy defence minister
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
The main opposition party, the SJB, along with other opposition parties have decided to submit a proposal to establish a parliamentary select committee for the creation of a new constitution. The opposition parties have also decided to bring a no-confidence motion (NCM) against Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera, accusing him of being a hindrance to proper investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks. The NCM, which has been signed by opposition members, is to be handed over to the Speaker next Monday.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Mawratanews.lk
“Chichi hasn’t caused a loss to the government through SupremeSAT” – PM
Aruna, Mawbima, Divaina, Ada
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated in parliament yesterday (6th) that SupremeSAT Ltd., responsible for Sri Lanka’s first satellite launch, has earned over Rs. 343 billion in revenue over eight years without any government funding. She confirmed this in response to a question from SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka.
No to politicisation: Youth protest in Maharagama
Dinamina, Aruna, Mawbima, Divaina Youth activists from all districts protested outside the Maharagama Youth Services Council yesterday |
Sagala Ratnayake questioned by the CID
Lankadeepa, Aruna The Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID’s) Illegal Assets Investigation Division questioned former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake for over six hours yesterday (6th), with Lankadeepa reporting the duration as seven hours. The questioning follows a petition alleging money laundering by Ratnayake, prompting the division to record statements concerning his assets, a senior police officer stated. |
The Catholic Church sends letter of demand to Weerawansa
Dinamina
The Archdiocese of Colombo has announced that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith will send a letter of demand to National Freedom Front Leader Wimal Weerawansa over false claims that the cardinal skipped the 2019 Easter Sunday service. Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando also denied Weerawansa’s assertion that the cardinal had received prior warnings about the bomb attacks.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Shasheendra Rajapaksa remanded
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Mawbima, Divaina, Ada, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa was remanded until August 19 by the Colombo chief magistrate after being arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (6th). He is accused of attempting to unlawfully claim compensation for damage to a property belonging to the Mahaweli Authority during the May 9, 2022 protests. Despite the property being ineligible for compensation, Rajapaksa allegedly used his influence to pressure officials to reverse their decision.
COPA chairperson resigns
Dinamina, Aruna, Divaina, Mawbima, Ada, Thinakkural
NPP MP Aravinda Senarath announced his resignation as chairperson of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) during yesterday’s (6th) parliamentary session. He cited the decision to allocate the position to an opposition member as the reason for stepping down. Mawbima reports that the opposition plans to nominate SJB MP Kabir Hashim for the role.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “Rs. 110 billion allocated for a salary increase next year” – President – Dinamina, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
2. Electricity (Amendment) Bill passed with a majority – Dinamina, Mawbima, Divaina, Ada, Virakesari
3. President approves letter removing Deshabandu Tennakoon as IGP – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Thamilan
4. Parliament heats up with Harshana’s statement – Dinamina, Thinakkural
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