DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Solution to the ethnic problem through a new constitution; Maveerar Thuyilum Illams (Great Heroes’ Resting Places) in the North may be released by the end of this month” – Minister Chandrasekar expresses hope | Pictorial: A blood donation camp organised jointly by the Sri Lanka Aaru Nattu Vellalar Sabai and the Indian High Commission was held yesterday at the Aaru Nattu Vellalar Sabai Hall in Bambalapitiya Thinakaran: “Cooperate to create a country without racism” – President appeals to political parties |
Thinakkural: Archaeology Department signboards erected in many places in the Kiran area were pulled out and thrown away; Pradeshiya Sabha takes swift action | Insult to Buddhist monks in Trincomalee; Sajith apologises | “Due to massive corruption and fraud, former rulers may end up going to jail with their families; Cases are pending against all Rajapaksas” – Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe Thamilan: Archaeology Department signboards removed in Koralai Pattu; action taken by Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson and the public | Cinema-style security at the Opposition rally: Handgun in a public place; Ministry of Defence prepares for an investigation; action to record statements from Udith and Namal | Action against underworld gangs under the Prevention of Terrorism Act; New provision is coming |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Six buried alive: the landslide occurred in an area for which warnings were issued; four hospitalised
Divaina: The tragedy of Lower Kadugannawa that claimed the lives of six; a few minutes and all was over; four injured, one in critical condition Mawbima: The shop became a pile of rubble following a massive sound; six lose lives in the Kadugannawa tragedy; hours spent on rescue mission; reopening the Colombo – Kandy main road, uncertain
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Dinamina: Six dead in Kadugannawa landslide: survivor trapped for six hours reveals horrific ordeal: compensation for deceased: “No more construction in unstable high-landslide areas” – Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena Aruna: 5,000 on heart surgery waiting list at Colombo National Hospital; patient lives at risk Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
“Maveerar Thuyilum Illams (War Heroes’ cemeteries) may be released soon; We are only waiting for the military’s permission” – Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar
Virakesari, Thinakaran
Minister R. Chandrasekar claimed that there are possibilities for some of the Maveerar Thuyilum Illams (Maveerar cemeteries) under the control of the security forces in the North to be released by the end of this month.
He confirmed that the President has already instructed the Ministry of Defence to release the Maveerar cemeteries held by the security forces, and he is confident that some of the burial grounds may be released by the end of this month.
The Minister asserted that the NPP government has changed the country’s political culture and is building a unified motherland.
Furthermore, he affirmed that the release of lands in the North will take place gradually as planned and that an issue in handing over a portion of the Vanni land released by the military to the rightful owners will soon be resolved.
He concluded that bankrupt politicians are trying to incite racism to return to power.
Virakesari highlighted by quoting him saying that the government is focusing on a new constitution to find a solution for the entrenched ethnic problem in the country.
“Will Tamil political prisoners be released ahead of Sri Lankan Day?” – MP Ravikaran
Thinakkural, Virakesari ITAK MP T. Ravikaran urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take action to release 10 Tamil political prisoners, including Anandasuthakaran, during the upcoming Sri Lankan Day in December. His request came during a discussion to brief Tamil and Muslim Members of Parliament and seek their opinions regarding the ‘Sri Lankan Day’ event. In response to the MP’s emphasis on greater attention to the political prisoners’ issue, the President reportedly stated that he would consider the release of the Tamil political prisoners. During the discussion, MP Ravikaran highlighted the case of Anandasuthakaran from Kilinochchi, whose spouse had already passed away, and whose two children are now destitute following the death of their maternal grandmother and urged the President to approach this matter with humanitarian consideration and demonstrate reconciliation by ensuring the release of the Tamil political prisoners, at least during the upcoming ‘Sri Lankan Day’ in December. |
“If everyone is equal in this country, the President should also fulfil the dream of our Maveerar” – Sumanthiran states
Thinakkural ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran stated that if the President’s assertion that everyone in this country is equal is true, then he must grant a political solution to realise the dreams of the Tamil Maveerar (Great Heroes), just as he honours his comrades who took up arms and died in struggle. Speaking at an event honouring the parents of Maveerar in Mullaitivu, last Saturday, Sumanthiran noted that November is globally recognised as the month to commemorate those who fought and died for their nations, often symbolised by the poppy flower. Sumanthiran emphasised that Tamil Maveerar hold a permanent place in the hearts of the Tamil people because they gave their lives for their community. He observed that the tears shed by the parents and sisters of the fallen fighters are not just due to the grief of loss but also the anguish that their sacrifice may have been in vain since the community has not yet achieved its liberation. Sumanthiran stressed that the struggle must now focus on achieving a system of self-governance in regions where Tamils live as the majority to ensure the sacrifices of the Maveerar are not in vain. |
“Cinema-style security at the Opposition rally”: Handgun in a public place; Ministry of Defence prepares for an investigation; Action to take statements from Udith and Namal
Thamilan
The Ministry of Defence has decided to launch an investigation into former MP Udith Lokubandara for appearing on stage with a handgun at an opposition rally held in Nugegoda last Friday.
A picture circulating on social media showed the former MP, standing near MP Namal Rajapaksa, who was addressing the gathering, with a shoulder bag and a handgun held as if ready to fire.
The Ministry of Defence has sought a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police responsible for the Nugegoda area to investigate the matter from various angles, including whether Lokubandara was providing security for Rajapaksa or acting in self-defence.
The police are also preparing to record statements from both Udith Lokubandara and Namal Rajapaksa.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
Payment of bus fares using bank cards to commence from today
Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna
The programme for paying bus fares using bank cards will commence from the Makumbura Multimodal Centre starting today (24th).
This will be inaugurated under the patronage of the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake, and will be implemented by the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Transport.
Minister Rathnayake stated that this system, which allows bus fares to be paid via bank cards, is being introduced as a solution to the major problem of not receiving change after paying the bus fare.
The minister further stated that there was a large demand for paying bus fares via bank cards, and this step was taken accordingly.
UNP and SJB ready to bed wed
Lankadeepa General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that Leader of the SJB Sajith Premadasa has accepted the responsibility of working with the UNP. Accordingly, he added that the two parties are scheduled to have leader-level discussions in the near future. The general secretary further stated that all dealings between the two parties will happen with the knowledge of SJB leader Sajith Premadasa. |
“The right to information will be ensured while protecting journalists” – Minister Nalinda Jayatissa
Dinamina Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa stated in parliament on Saturday (22nd) that the government would take steps to ensure the public’s right to information. This action involves protecting journalists in the country and enhancing their professional dignity. |
“Give at least the basic health facilities for the hospitals in Mannar and Mullaitivu” – MP Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan
Dinamina
Vanni District MP of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance, Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan, stated in parliament on Saturday (22nd) that hospitals in the Mannar and Mullaitivu areas should be developed so that patients can obtain the necessary basic health facilities.
He added that there are people in the Mullaitivu and Mannar areas who are displaced by the war and are suffering from mental distress.
Adaikkalanathan added that the staff at the existing basic hospital carry out their duties with great dedication despite the lack of facilities.
He stressed that the shortage of medical equipment is severe and that these hospitals should be developed so that the distressed, displaced people can receive proper health treatments.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Newswire
Six buried alive: the landslide occurred in an area for which warnings were issued; four hospitalised
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
On Saturday (22nd) morning, a landslide involving a large rock struck a house and a shop located in the Lower Kadugannawa area on the Colombo–Kandy main road.
The number of fatalities from the disaster that occurred around 8:45 a.m. has risen to six.
The bodies of four people were initially recovered, and the bodies of two other individuals who were trapped in the debris were found yesterday (23rd).
Five people injured in the accident have been hospitalised for treatment.
The accident occurred when a large rock, along with several other rocks located below the railway line, fell onto the house and the shop.
A rescue operation was launched jointly by the police, the army, residents, and the health sector to rescue those trapped inside the shop.
A section of the Colombo-Kandy main road remains closed following the landslide.
Papers reported that warnings had been issued to the building amid the concerning weather conditions.
“Politically influential people in Batticaloa remove nameboards of archaeological sites: legal action to be taken” – Director General of Archaeology
Mawbima, Aruna, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The police stated that an investigation was initiated following complaints received yesterday (23rd) regarding the removal of five nameboards installed at five archaeological sites belonging to the Manmunai South and Koralaipattu Valaichchenai Divisional Secretariat areas in Batticaloa.
The nameboards, which bore the names of the archaeological sites Thandamalai (Rahat Gala), Murunkantivu, Thikkilivettai, Pendukkal Chenai, and Saraveli, were removed in this manner, loaded onto tractors, and taken away.
Acting Director General of the Department of Archaeology, Thusitha Ranasinghe, stated that complaints regarding the incident have been made and that legal action will be taken.
Archaeological site signboards abruptly erected by the Department of Archaeology in villages within the Koralaipattu Divisional Secretariat limits were removed on November 22 by a group including the Divisional Secretariat Chairperson, members, and the public.
The signboards were placed at junctions on roads used by people in areas like Kudumbimalai and its surrounding hilly regions, ancient temples, and farmlands in the Kiran area.
Divisional Secretariat Chairperson S. Sudhakaran noted that the signs were installed without the Secretariat’s permission and that they were an act of “betrayal to an ethnic group” as they failed to prioritise the local people’s language.
He further pointed out that the signs were an attempt to bring the identified areas under the Department of Archaeology’s control in the future.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Nine deaths reported so far due to adverse weather conditions – Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakkural
2. “Will not let the country fall victim to any racist trap” – President – Divaina, Thinakaran
3. Was the (Advanced Level) Economics paper leaked? “Complaint lodged at the CID” – Exams Commissioner General – Divaina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
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