DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Discussions with all parties regarding provincial council elections; it is good for all sides to reach a unified position” – Minister Chandana Abeyratne | Security officer arrested with gold biscuits worth Rs. 210 million Thinakaran: “Order issued by the Kaluwanchikudy Magistrate’s Court; mass grave excavation at Kurukkalmadam to begin next week; the work aims at accountability, uncovering the truth, and delivering justice” – Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer | Electricity tariff revision; initiatives to gather public opinions | Action against presidential candidates who fail to submit expense reports | “The armed struggle of the Tamils produced two-sided consequences” – MP Ramanathan Archchuna |
Thinakkural: Is Mahinda being trapped as if Ranil were arrested?; Former secretary Lalith Weeratunga and additional secretary called for investigation | New resolution to be adopted regarding Sri Lanka; key discussion among Core Group of countries today | “Continuous meetings with member countries of the UN Human Rights Council” – Sumanthiran states Thamilan: Provincial elections under the old system! Government reviewing | ‘Ice’ chemicals found mixed in the Middeniya recovered items |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Boundary demarcation in doubt, Provincial council elections to be held under the same old system Divaina: 4 contract killings in August alone | 0.5 million for the last kill | The army soldier who fled, nabbed in Siyambalanduwa | A follower of ‘Backhoe Saman’ arrested in Embilipitiya with several firearms used for the murders in the South | T-81, T-56 arms, a magazine firearm, ammunition and military jungle clothing found. Weapons sent to various places packed in banana boxes Mawbima: The death of 2 youths in Borella Sahaspura | Killing of the prison officer in Bandaragama | Death of Nilanga’s father-in-law in Panadura | The soldier suspected of the 4 murders, arrested in Ampara |
Dinamina: Middeniya ‘ice’ container incident | Chemicals found in Manamperi’s land confirmed to be chemicals used to make ‘ice’ | 17 of the 20 samples collected confirmed – National Dangerous Drugs Control Board report says Aruna: CEB workers, excluding the JVP trade unions, planning to go on sick leave | ‘Work-to-rule’ to continue further Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Hindu
“Letter to the government regarding Tamil regional issues in Ampara District” – Sumanthiran states at a meeting for local government members
Thinakkural, Virakesari
ITAK’s General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran has announced that the party will send a letter to the government detailing numerous issues faced by Tamil areas in the Ampara District, including land disputes.
This statement was made at a meeting for ITAK’s Ampara District local government members held in Alayadivembu yesterday (14th).
Sumanthiran acknowledged the concerns raised about ITAK local government members being ignored at official state functions in the region and stated that a condemnation resolution will be passed and sent to the government.
He also mentioned that the party is pursuing legal action regarding the Veeramuani welcome arch issue and that the case concerning the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat is already in court.
Thinakkural highlights that Sumanthiran has stated that the party’s central committee stressed the need for continuous dialogue with the member states of the UNHRC.
He announced that in the coming days, specific responsibilities will be assigned to party MPs to maintain ongoing relationships with designated countries.
Sumanthiran confirmed that ITAK is already in constant communication with the United Kingdom, as the main sponsor of the Sri Lanka resolution, and its co-sponsoring nations.
These discussions have focused on identifying which issues are crucial and non-negotiable within the UNHRC process.
“Kurukkalmadam excavation to begin next week; the work aims at accountability, uncovering the truth, and delivering justice” – Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer
Thinakaran
The excavation of the Kurukkalmadam mass grave in Batticaloa is scheduled to commence next week following an order by the Kaluwanchikudy Magistrate’s Court. Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer has stated that Rs. 2.9 million has been allocated for this purpose. The decision follows a preliminary site visit by officials from the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) last Thursday (11th), who will submit a report on the matter to the magistrate on the 18th. The excavation is based on a complaint filed at the Kaluwanchikudy Police Station regarding Muslims returning from the Hajj pilgrimage who were allegedly abducted and killed by the LTTE in 1990. This initiative is part of the government’s plan to ensure accountability for abductions and killings that occurred during that period. |
“Discussions with all parties regarding provincial council elections; it is good for all sides to reach a unified position” – Minister Chandana AbeyratneVirakesari
Minister of Provincial Councils, Local Government and Public Administration Chandana Abeyratne stated that the government is prepared to hold initial talks with all parliamentary political parties next month regarding the provincial council election. He stated that the election could be held swiftly if all parties reached a consensus on an electoral system. The minister acknowledged that the main obstacle is a significant legal problem over whether to use the old or new electoral system, an issue the Supreme Court has repeatedly advised must be resolved by parliament. While affirming the government’s commitment to holding the polls, he noted that a definite date cannot be set until this legal deadlock is broken. |
“The armed struggle of the Tamils produced two-sided consequences” – MP Ramanathan Archchuna
Thinakaran Speaking in parliament during a condolence speech last Friday (12th), MP Ramanathan Archchuna stated that the public calls by past Tamil leaders for youth to take up arms resulted in two major outcomes. He claimed that these leaders, who began advocating for armed struggle during the 1974 World Tamil Research Conference in Jaffna, failed to achieve anything for the Tamil people. However, Archchuna noted that the subsequent conflict was instrumental in establishing a sense of Tamil national identity both locally and internationally. The second outcome, he argued, was that it exposed the incompetence and self-serving politics of those same Tamil leaders. He also expressed regret that current Muslim leaders lack the foresight of their predecessors, citing the founder chairman of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, M.H. Segu Issadeen, as an example of a leader who had such clarity. |
“Have war crimes not occurred? Deputy Minister’s statement is unacceptable; attempting to cover up all the facts” – MP Selvam AdaikkalanathanVirakesari, Thinakkural
Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan has condemned the Deputy Minister of Defence’s statement that no war crimes occurred in Sri Lanka, calling it an unacceptable attempt to cover up the truth. Citing the Chemmani mass graves as evidence of severe human rights violations, Adaikkalanathan argued that the Deputy Minister’s comment dismisses the atrocities, murders, and cruelties faced by the Tamil people, creating a deep wound in their minds. He urged the President to take swift action, demanding that the government suspend the Deputy Minister and investigate him regarding the Easter Sunday attacks and his potential involvement in past abuses. Adaikkalanathan noted that the Deputy Minister’s denial raises suspicion about his own conduct, especially after an opposition-led no-confidence motion against him was previously blocked. Reiterating his rejection of domestic investigations, the MP called for the Deputy Minister to resign. |
MP Srinesan, injured in an accident, in intensive care
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
ITAK MP Gnanamuththu Srinesan was seriously injured in a vehicle accident yesterday (14th) and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital.
The accident occurred near the Kaluwanchikudy Divisional Secretariat when the vehicle he was traveling in collided with a car.
According to police, the MP suffered a dislocated shoulder.
He was returning to Batticaloa after attending an ITAK central committee meeting in Ampara, at the time of the incident.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Former Chairman of the Wattegama Urban Council arrested for the possession of two luxury vehicles that were illegally imported and registered
Divaina, Dinamina, Mawbima
The Colombo Central Criminal Investigation Bureau stated that the 58-year-old former chairman of the Wattegama Urban Council from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, a resident of Narandanda, Wattegama, and a 38-year-old businessman from Galaluwa, Menikhinna, were remanded until today (15th) after being produced before the Theldeniya Magistrate.
Police stated that the suspect served as the chairman of the Wattegama Urban Council from 2018 to 2023.
The Central Criminal Investigation Bureau mentioned that a Pajero-type jeep was found in the possession of the former chairman, and a Land Cruiser jeep was found in the possession of the businessman.
Both the luxury vehicles were seized during the arrest.
Three police officers have been sentenced to seven years in prison for torturing and killing a hotel manager in Polonnaruwa who refused to sell them alcohol on World Temperance Day, 21 years ago
Lankadeepa, Mawbima Three police officers from the former Polonnaruwa Division Anti-Corruption Unit were sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment each by the Polonnaruwa High Court. They were found guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder for the 2004 abduction, torture, and killing of a hotel manager. The incident occurred on World Temperance Day when the officers unlawfully entered a hotel and demanded alcohol. After the manager, Herman Quintus Perera, refused their request, they forcibly took him away and subjected him to a brutal assault. The post-mortem examination revealed 26 external injuries. In addition to the prison sentence, High Court Judge Ruchira Weliwatta imposed a fine of Rs. 15,000 on each officer, with an additional 12-month prison term in case of non-payment. The primary accused in the case, the Officer-in-Charge of the unit, had passed away during the trial. |
Kadawatha–Mirigama Expressway construction to resume on September 17
Lankadeepa, Dinamina Construction work on a section of the Central Expressway between Kadawatha and Mirigama, which had been stalled since mid-2022 due to the economic crisis, will resume on September 17. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will inaugurate the construction work, and a USD 500 million loan has been secured from the Export-Import Bank of China to restart the project. The 37-kilometre stretch is scheduled for completion by mid-2028. Alongside this, work will also commence on the Kadawatha Interchange Hub and the first 500 metres of the expressway from Kadawatha. |
The final decision on making the estate workers’ daily wage Rs. 1,700 will be made on October 7th – Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe
Divaina
The Estate Management Authority has agreed to hold a final discussion on October 7th to make a final decision on the government’s proposal to increase the daily wage of estate workers to LKR 1,700, stated Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe.
The Deputy Minister stated that a comprehensive discussion on this matter was recently held at the Ministry of Plantation and Infrastructure, attended by a group of ministers and numerous representatives from the Estate Management Authority.
He mentioned that the government’s side presented the case for increasing the estate workers’ wages to LKR 1,700, which led to an extensive dialogue between the two parties.
However, the Estate Management Authority highlighted existing problems regarding the wage increase, and a firm conclusion could not be reached at that time.
The Deputy Minister further stated that the government had given the Estate Management Authority about two weeks to come to a firm decision.
He added that the final discussion to finalise the estate worker wage will be held on October 7th, and an increase in the wages is expected following that meeting.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ceylon Today
17 out of the 20 samples from Middeniya found to be chemical substances used to make ‘ice’ – National Dangerous Drugs Control Board confirms
Aruna, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Authorities have confirmed that the chemicals found in the contents of the container discovered in Middeniya recently are for the production of ‘ice’ narcotics after tests were conducted by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB).
Accordingly, the report of the board revealed that 17 out of the 20 samples from Middeniya were found to contain chemicals used to produce ‘ice’ or ‘Methamphetamine’.
On September 5, authorities uncovered a consignment of chemical substances at a residence in Thalawa, Middeniya.
These chemicals, imported for the production of ‘ice’ in Sri Lanka, were found buried during an operation conducted by the Western Province North Crimes Division.
The total quantity of chemicals discovered was estimated at around 50,000 kg.
Education Ministry announces 2026 school calendar and 2026 school exam schedule
Divaina, Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The school term schedule for next year has been released.
Accordingly, the first school term, conducted in two phases, will begin on January 1.
The first phase of the term will continue until February 13.
The Ministry of Education said that schools will be given holidays from February 14 to March 2.
The second phase of the first school term will begin on March 3 and continue until April 10.
Schools will then be closed for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays from April 11 to April 19.
The second school term is scheduled to begin on April 20 and continue until July 24.
The third school term will also be implemented in two phases.
The first phase will run from July 27 to August 7, followed by holidays from August 8 to September 6.
The second phase of the third school term will take place from September 7 to December 4.
Furthermore, the school exam schedule for the year 2026 has also been released.
Accordingly, the G.C.E. O/L exams for 2025 will be held from February 17 to 26, and the 2026 G.C.E. A/L exams are scheduled from August 10 to September 5.
The 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Exam will take place on August 9, while the General IT Exam is set for October 24.
The G.C.E. O/L exams for 2026 will be held from December 8 to 17.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Renovation of Pettah Central Bus Stand under President’s patronage today – Aruna, Divaina, Dinamina, Mawbima, Thinakaran
2. Staff member arrested at BIA with Rs. 210 million worth of gold biscuits –Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Thamilan, Virakesari
3. United Nations Human Rights Council extends the OHCHR Sri Lanka Accountability Project’s mandate for another two years – Divaina, Thamilan, Thinakkural
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