DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Not worried about the uniting of opposition parties” – Minister Bimal declares, referring to it as an alliance that is similar to a heap of garbage | The president to leave for the US today Thinakaran: “War crimes investigations: Ready to obtain technical assistance from the UN office” – Vijitha Herath | President Anura to address the UN General Assembly | One year of President Anura: Achievements in economic and other programmes | “Provincial council elections must be held soon to ensure that the Tamil-speaking people can continue to live in the North and East” – Former members urge |
Thinakkural: “How can a domestic mechanism be possible when some say the military will not be punished? An international judicial mechanism is necessary” – Sumanthiran insists | “Criminals in military uniforms! A major threat to the lives of VIPs!” – The IGP Thamilan: UNP–SJB alliance out! Sajith refuses to go along with Ranil; growing discontent within the opposition | The president to leave for the US today | Electricity charges to increase again |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: 60 perches of the Periyakulam Tank reserve grabbed: Orders to tear down the illegal hotel owned by Maheepala’s spouse Divaina: The fire in Pettah that blackened the whole of Colombo: A proper fire security system has not been in place; seven shops destroyed by the fire: a 16-hour mission to douse the fire; “A loss amounting to millions” – Business owners Mawbima: The foreigner who produced ice in a hotel in Weligama, arrested | The CEB [employees] withdraw from procurement and tender processes: The final decision on the future course of action to be made today |
Dinamina: “A fraud of Rs. 8 billion at the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) during Minister Sajith’s tenure” – The committee appointed to investigate fraud and corruption [at the CCF] states Aruna: “Online child abuse has increased by 50%: 15 in 2024 and 28 this year” – The police media spokesperson | A fire in Pettah damages several shops Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“Provincial council elections must be held soon to ensure that the Tamil-speaking people can continue to live in the North and East” – Former members urge
Thinakaran, Virakesari, Thinakkural
A group of former ministers and members of the Northern Provincial Council, representing parties such as the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), and the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), have urged the government to hold the provincial council elections promptly.
Following a discussion in Jaffna on Sunday (21st), the former members stated that the election is essential to ensure that the Tamil-speaking people can continue to live in the North and East. They asserted that no one can abolish the provincial council system against India’s will and suggested holding the election under the old system to expedite the process.
The group also unanimously called on the government to at least conduct the elections in the North and East, even if it is unwilling to do so for the entire country.
“How can a domestic mechanism be possible when some say the military will not be punished? An international judicial mechanism is necessary” – Sumanthiran insists
Thinakkural
ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran has questioned the purpose of the government’s insistence on a domestic accountability mechanism, given the president’s public declaration that no military personnel will be punished for war crimes. Sumanthiran noted that for 16 years, no progress has been made on establishing such a domestic process. He asserted that since international investigation reports already exist, the next necessary step is to establish an international judicial mechanism. Sumanthiran also clarified that the recent talks in Switzerland were a study tour on federalism organised by the Swiss government and did not involve discussions on the issue of the Tamil people. |
“A fair external investigation is needed!” – MP Shritharan emphasises in parliamentVirakesari
Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament Bimal Rathnayake has described the new alliance formed by opposition parties as being similar to a “garbage heap”. Speaking at a public meeting in Ampara on Saturday (20th), Rathnayake asserted that the NPP is not afraid of this alliance and will not waste time on it. He claimed that those who previously accused each other of being thieves have now united on one stage to protect themselves from the law and secure their political futures. |
“War crimes investigations: Ready to obtain technical assistance from the UN office” – Vijitha Herath
Thinakaran, Thinakkural The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has announced that Sri Lanka is prepared to accept technical assistance from the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including forensic experts, to expedite investigations into alleged past war crimes. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath stated that this cooperation would include assistance in identifying victims in mass graves, based on the orders of the relevant judicial authorities. In a recent address to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Herath confirmed the government’s commitment to providing resources for excavations at sites such as Chemmani, but reiterated that prosecutions would happen through an independent national process, rejecting external accountability mechanisms. |
“Financial issues are not the cause of medicine shortages; normalcy will return after November” – NalindaTThinakaran, Virakesari
Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip Jayatissa explained that a specific price range has been set for imports based on market conditions in South Asia, and some suppliers who do not accept these terms have opted not to supply medicines. The minister noted that the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) has been tasked with handling the procurement and has already completed 80-85% of the process. He confirmed that the medicines currently in short supply are expected to arrive in the country after November. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“A fraud of Rs. 8 billion at the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) during Minister Sajith’s tenure” – The committee appointed to investigate fraud and corruption [at the CCF] states
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina
The committee that was appointed to investigate fraud and corruption at the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) after the current government came into power, has revealed that a sum exceeding Rs. 8 billion, obtained from the CCF between 2017 and 2020 without the approval of its board of directors by claiming it was for various projects, has been misused.
In July, the government took steps to appoint a three-person committee to investigate the alleged misuse of funds at the CCF. The committee is chaired by retired High Court judge G.M.W. Pradeep Jayathilaka, and the alleged misuse of funds is said to have occurred during the period when the current opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa, was serving as the minister of cultural affairs.
“The SJB will make deals with the 22 million people [of Sri Lanka]” – Premadasa
Dinamina Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that he will join hands with progressive forces for the people and not for power. Premadasa made the statement at a public meeting held on Saturday (20th) in the Nallachchiya division of the Kalawewa electorate to discuss farmers’ issues, under the “Door to Door” mobile service programme. Speaking further, the opposition leader emphasised that by dedicating himself to the people once more and renewing the social contract that was made with them during the election period, he is ready to perform the service that should be rendered by the opposition. |
“30 criminals who fled the country to be repatriated soon” – The police media spokesperson
Dinamina Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler stated that necessary steps have been initiated to bring back 30 organised criminals who have fled the country, and are directing various crimes while residing overseas. Speaking further on the matter, Wootler stated that red notices have been issued by INTERPOL for these 30 criminals. He added that this year alone, arrangements have been made to repatriate 17 organised criminals who are overseas, and for whom red notices had been issued by INTERPOL. |
“What was found in Middeniya was ice” – The government analyst confirms
Dinamina
The government analyst has confirmed that a special white substance, consisting of crystals and powder, contains methamphetamine (also known as ice) and the mineral talc.
The substance was discovered by officers of the Western Province North Divisional Crimes Division from two locations in Middeniya, based on information revealed by Backhoe Saman, an underworld criminal who was brought back from Indonesia.
A report on the discovery, dated September 15, has been submitted to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court with the government analyst’s signature. Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F. U. Wootler confirmed the findings at a press conference held on Saturday (20th).
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: News.lk
The president departs for the US today to attend the UN session
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to depart for the US tonight (22nd) to participate in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The president will address the UNGA on Wednesday (24th), at 3.15 pm local time.
During the tour, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is also scheduled to participate in bilateral discussions with the secretary-general of the UN and several other world leaders, and will also be attending a meeting with Sri Lankans residing in the US.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath will also join the tour.
“Let us sit in the opposition together and defeat dictatorship” – Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe states at the 79th anniversary celebrations of the UNP | Sajith and Namal do not attend Ranil’s “Let us unite as one” meeting
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The convention marking the 79th anniversary of the UNP was held on Saturday (20th) under the patronage of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. The event was held at a hotel in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte under the theme “Let us unite as one.”
The press highlighted several statements made by Wickremesinghe addressing the convention. Divaina highlights that Wickremesinghe called on all MPs of the opposition to stand together to defeat the dictatorial government.
Mawbima highlights, quoting Wickremesinghe, that the UNP will continue its journey no matter what obstacles the government puts before it, using police force.
Additionally, Dinamina highlights that Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa did not attend the 79th anniversary of the UNP, despite its theme of “Let us unite as one”.
Thinakkural highlights that many are strongly criticising Premadasa for obstructing the opposition coalition.
Thamilan highlights that the UNP–SJB alliance is “out”, and that Premadasa is refusing to go along with Wickremesinghe.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The fire in Pettah that blackened the whole of Colombo: A proper fire security system has not been in place; seven shops destroyed by the fire: a 16-hour mission to douse the fire; “A loss amounting to millions” – Business owners – Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. One year since Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected president | What has the government done in one year? – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
3. The CEB [employees] withdraws from procurement and tender processes: The final decision on the future course of action to be made today – Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari
4. A former minister and six former state ministers have not submitted their asset statements; four governors and 28 diplomats also among them – Lankadeepa, Thinakaran, Thamilan
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