DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Chairperson of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Wickramasekara shot dead; (suspects) pretended to obtain signatures on documents and used a firearm; four police teams investigating | “Chairperson of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha is a member of the underworld” – Minister Ananda Wijepala explains Thinakaran: “Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson Lasantha shot dead; rising deaths in underworld gang clashes; six cases filed against the deceased; he was an underworld criminal” – Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala | 9,500 affected, three dead due to adverse weather | Arrangements made to hold the national “Sri Lankans’ Day” celebration in Colombo this December |
Thinakkural: “Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson Lasantha shot dead by two who entered the office”; another daring incident in the South; four police teams investigating | “The deceased is a criminal of the underworld; six cases filed against him” – Minister Ananda Wijepala Thamilan: ‘Midigama Lasa’ shot dead! Shooter opens fire inside Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha | “An underworld criminal was murdered” – Minister Ananda Wijepala |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: A shower of bullets while on the chair: the murder of the Weligama chairperson was done by ‘Rotambu Amila’: the shooter arrived on a motorbike; chairperson’s name also in the IRC list; a friend of Madush as well; clashes with ‘Harak Kata’ Divaina: Weligama chairperson shot and killed in official seat itself: was it done by an underworld gang or some other party?; shooter arrives under the guise of getting a letter signed; shooters flee unharmed | “‘Midigama Lasa’ is an underworld figure even though he is a public representative: six cases are being heard against him: he was even on a suspended sentence; this murder is [the result of] an underworld feud” – Minister of Public Security | “What has happened to the national security of this country?” – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa | “That won’t be a matter of law” – Speaker; the parliament heated over the news of the Weligama chairperson’s murder Mawbima: Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson murdered in the office itself: The shooter arrived under the guise of getting a letter signed: four shots fired at the head and neck | “The Weligama chairperson is an underworld figure” – Minister Ananda Wijepala | “Is the murder of the Weligama chairperson happening on Mahajana Dinaya (Public Day)?” – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questions | “Suspicions as to whether this was done by the government over not being able to secure power in Weligama” – Duminda Dissanayake
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Dinamina: “The Weligama chairperson’s murder is suspected to have been done by ‘Midigama Ruwan’”: both parties had previously been with ‘Harak Kata’ | Free shoes to be given to 729,393 school students: cost Rs. 2,500 million | Anandan, who sent Sewwandi abroad, has also sent the suspects of the Easter Sunday attack, abroad Aruna: Weligama chairperson falls victim to ‘Midigama Ruwan’: “Revealed in investigations” – Police state; had written about the death threats he received to the IGP as well Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“Was the government involved in the assassination of Lasantha Wickramasekara?” – MP Rauff Hakeem raises suspicion
Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural
Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Rauff Hakeem raised suspicions in Parliament yesterday (22nd) about whether the government has a connection to the murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) Chairperson Lasantha Wickramasekara.
He emphasised that the murder of a PS Chairperson in broad daylight, by entering his office, is not a minor matter.
He noted that the suspicion regarding a political motive is heightened because the government was previously suspected of being involved in the abduction and detention of those who were going to vote for the deceased on the day of his appointment.
Furthermore, MP Hakeem claimed that some media outlets are attempting to divert the case by citing other reasons and insulting the deceased, which raises doubts about the involvement of state parties.
He asserted that those connected to the murder should be arrested and brought to justice quickly, similar to how a female suspect related to a murder within a courthouse was arrested abroad and brought back for investigation.
“Speaker is unfit for the position”; MP Chamara Sampath strongly opposes Jagath Wickramaratne
Thamilan, Thinakkural New Democratic Front MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake criticised Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament yesterday, stating that the Speaker should not occupy the Chair because a complaint has been lodged against him with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). Dassanayake claimed that the complaint alleges the Speaker is using and receiving rent for two houses. Raising a point of order, Dassanayake stated he had submitted a question of privilege regarding a Constitutional Council member who is also facing a CIABOC complaint. Speaker Wickramaratne replied, “This is not a matter of privilege violation.” |
TID records statement from TNPF national organiser
Thinakkural
Dharmalingam Suresh, the National Organiser of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), who was summoned to the Counter-Terrorism Division (CTD) Bureau in Colombo to record a statement, appeared yesterday (22nd). He left the premises after giving a statement for over five hours. CTD officers went to the Batticaloa-based National Organiser’s home on the 18th and provided him with a letter. The letter summoned him for an inquiry regarding a photograph posted on Facebook that showed the party leader and the Leader of the LTTE together. Suresh stated that he went to the CTD Bureau in Colombo last morning, was interrogated for over five hours, and left around 3:00 p.m. after giving his statement. |
Cabinet approval granted for the construction of the Kurikattuwan Jetty in Jaffna
Thinakaran
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved for the implementation of a project to reconstruct the Kurikattuwan Jetty in the Kayts Divisional Secretariat Division of the Jaffna District.
The Kurikattuwan Jetty serves as the main sea access route connecting the islands of Nainativu and Delft with the Jaffna Peninsula.
The jetty is used for passenger and cargo transport services to these islands, supporting wide-ranging social, religious, and administrative activities.
The current jetty has suffered significant structural damage due to a long period without major renovations.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Illegal assets in Gampaha amounting to more than Rs. 50 million belonging to ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, handed over to the Illegal Assets [Investigation] Division
Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna
The Sri Lanka Police has seized assets amounting to over Rs. 50 million, reportedly belonging to underworld figure ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’.
It was reported that the properties were seized by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division.
The seized property is a 29-perch land in Gampaha with a building currently under construction.
Aruna reported the value of the assets as Rs. 70 million while adding that a freezing order was issued for a period of seven days in accordance with Section 7(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in order to prevent the sale, transfer or other disposition of this property to any person.
A Rs. 1 million compensation for a death caused by disaster – Cabinet decision
Dinamina Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister of Health and Mass Media, Nalinda Jayatissa, stated that steps will be taken to grant a compensation amount of Rs. 1 million for the death of each person who fell victim to the adverse weather conditions. The minister made the statement during the cabinet media briefing held at the Department of Government Information yesterday (22nd). He added that action will be taken to provide these compensation funds according to the existing circulars and that the necessary funds have already been sent to the District Secretaries to provide relief to the people in all the Divisional Secretariat areas affected by the disaster. |
“Export income exceeds USD 10 billion” – Sunil Handunneththi
Dinamina Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi stated in parliament yesterday (22nd) that the export income of Sri Lanka has now exceeded USD 10 billion. The minister also stated that investments have increased recently because the confidence of domestic and foreign investors in the government has grown. Handunneththi made the statement while responding to a question by New Democratic Front (NDF) MP Ravi Karunanayake. According to the information released by the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOISL), the minister stated that the approved grants from January to September 15, 2025, are USD 1,304 million, and the Foreign Direct Investment inflows from January to August 2025 are USD 1,084 million. |
“The CEB will not be privatised in any way” – Minister Kumara Jayakody
Divaina, Mawbima
Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody ruled out the privatisation of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) in parliament yesterday (21st).
However, he stated that all employees will be placed under four companies, which are to be set up under the unbundling program.
He added that employees must inform the authorities whether they would like to be placed under the new companies before October 27 this year.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Lanka Sara
Weligama Chairperson shot and killed in official seat itself: was it done by an underworld gang or some other party?; shooter arrives under the guise of getting a letter signed; shooters flee unharmed
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Chairperson of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, alias ‘Midigama Lasa,’ was shot and killed by an unidentified shooter yesterday (22nd).
The shooting had occurred while Wickramasekara was seated in his office located at the Pradeshiya Sabha.
The suspects had entered the Pradeshiya Sabha premises, claiming they had to get a letter signed by the chairperson.
Police stated that four shots had been fired by the shooter. He had then fled on a motorcycle, unharmed, along with the other suspect.
Wickramasekara, a resident of the Midigama area, succumbed to gunshot injuries while being admitted to the Matara General Hospital.
Lankadeepa reported quoting the Police that information has been revealed to suggest that the shooting was carried out by a gang led by Amila Sepala Rathnayaka, alias ‘Rotambu Amila’, who is considered to be a powerful gang leader in the South.
The paper reported that ‘Rotambu Amila’ has fled the country and is currently in hiding in Dubai.
Dinamina and Aruna report, quoting the police, that the suspicion in this murder has currently been directed at a major underworld figure named ‘Midigama Ruwan’, who is presently detained at the Boossa Prison.
‘Midigama Ruwan’, who is a main henchperson of ‘Harak Kata’, was arrested in Dubai on May 30, 2024, and brought to Sri Lanka.
“The Weligama Chairperson was an underworld criminal” – Ananda Wijepala
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala stated in parliament yesterday (22nd) that the murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson Lasantha Wickramasekara, alias ‘Midigama Lasa,’ was the result of conflicts among criminals.
Minister Wijepala added that while the incident involved a public representative, it does not pose any threat to overall public safety.
Wijepala emphasised that the deceased chairperson had a criminal background and that six court cases across Matara, Kurunegala, and Galle are currently being heard against him.
He added that Wickramasekara had received a prison sentence but was out on a suspended sentence.
The public security minister reaffirmed that the government does not condone any murder and that a formal investigation will be conducted.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Parliament heated over the shooting of the Weligama Chairperson – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. “Where is the national security of the country?” – Premadasa – DiLankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Virakesari
3. Anandan, who helped Ishara Sewwandi flee the country, has also aided those involved in the Easter Sunday attack to flee the country | A micro pistol found at Anandan’s house – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakkural
4. “A Sri Lanka with reconciliation”: a proposal from the president: Sri Lankan Day to be held in December – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran
5. “There will be six new energy companies” – Minister of Power and Energy – Divaina, Virakesari
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