DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
|
Virakesari: “Provincial council elections should be held soon; this is India’s stance” – High Commissioner Santosh Jha | “US violated UN agreement” – Minister Bimal Rathnayake states in Parliament regarding the Venezuela issue Thinakaran: Under the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme, new houses will replace those damaged by Cyclone Ditwah; work commences today in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala by the President | The agreement to construct the Indo-Lanka stadium has been signed |
Thinakkural: The depression formed in the Bay of Bengal may enter the country tonight; flood warning issued for North and East | Earthquakes in some parts of the hill country Thamilan: Do not interfere in the country’s internal affairs; Government condemns USA!; Minister Bimal highlights that Venezuelan President Maduro is a good person | President Anura to visit the North |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: Prepared to face a disaster situation: a risk of strong winds and heavy rains – Meteorology Department Divaina: “Investigations into unusual transactions of the stock market to be launched” – Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) Professor Hareendra Dissabandara Mawbima: A mobile lab (bus) to detect drivers under the influence: samples to be taken at bus stations abruptly; can detect up to 12 drugs; results in three minutes | Strong winds and rains for many provinces: impact of deep depression to hit [country] tonight: further maritime travel discouraged
|
Dinamina: Rs. 5 million for each house completely destroyed by the disaster: construction of new homes commences; President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to preside over the main ceremony Aruna: Depression to enter the country today between 5:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.: rainfall exceeding 150-200 mm in some places Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
“Ensure the self-determination rights of the Tamil people; India must apply pressure” – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Thamilan, Thinakkural, Virakesari
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to ensure the political rights and safety of the Tamil community during Sri Lanka’s constitutional reform process.
In a letter to the prime minister, Stalin emphasised that any new constitution must recognise the North and East as the traditional homeland of the Tamil people and establish a federal structure to ensure equality and non-discrimination. Stalin highlighted that the current unitary state structure has historically led to systemic oppression and the denial of fundamental rights.
Stalin urged the Indian government to exert diplomatic pressure on Sri Lanka to implement a political solution that includes the devolution of power and the protection of minority rights.
“The no-confidence motion against the prime minister: The ITAK will not support it” – Sivagnanam Shritharan | “I reject the defamatory propaganda against the prime minister” – Gajendrakumar strongly condemns
Thinakkural, Virakesari ITAK MP S. Shritharan stated that the ITAK will not support the no-confidence motion (NCM) planned by the main opposition party, the SJB, against Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Harini Amarasuriya. He added that the party has decided against backing the motion. Shritharan further noted that the ITAK parliamentary group will meet to make a final decision on whether to vote against the motion or abstain if it is brought to a vote in parliament. All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has strongly condemned the smear campaign being carried out against the PM. He stated that the NCM planned by the SJB is an attempt to create political pressure rather than a genuine policy debate. |
“A private member’s motion to amend the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act will be submitted to the parliament within a month” – Faiszer MusthaphaThinakaran New Democratic Front (NDF) MP Faiszer Musthapha has announced plans to introduce a private member’s bill in parliament next month to reform Sri Lanka’s divorce as well as Muslim marriage laws. In a recent interview, Musthapha proposed the introduction of “no-fault divorce” to replace the current Roman-Dutch law requirement of proving matrimonial faults, which he argued leads to protracted legal battles and psychological distress for children. Regarding the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), he called for raising the minimum age of marriage for Muslim women to 18, granting women the right to sign their own marriage certificates, and appointing women as Quazi judges. Additionally, he recommended transferring maintenance cases to Magistrate’s Courts and updating the Thesavalamai Law concerning property rights for women in the North. |
The agreement made by Arun Hemachandra with Israel is unforgivable; it is a betrayal of the trust of the people who gave a two-thirds mandate: Left-wing movements and progressive organisations send a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thinakaran
Leftist movements and progressive organisations have strongly condemned the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Sri Lankan government and Israel on December 22.
In a letter addressed to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, the groups expressed deep disappointment, anger and shame over the expansion of diplomatic and labour relations with a state they accused of genocide against Palestinians.
The group also specifically criticised Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra for signing the agreement, noting his previous stance as an advocate for Palestinian rights before assuming office.
The organisations argued that by sending workers to illegally occupied territories, Sri Lanka has moved from being a neutral observer to an accomplice in a system of apartheid and ethnic cleansing.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Divaina
Sajith and Dilith pledge to safeguard free education
Divaina, Dinamina
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Sarvajana Balaya Leader Dilith Jayaweera, along with activists and supporters, gathered in Matugama near the statue of C.W.W. Kannangara, who is known as the father of free education in Sri Lanka, to demand the protection of free education.
The protest commenced with floral tributes, and speakers pledged to dedicate their efforts to ensuring education remains accessible to all children.
MP Prasad to appear before the CIDMawbima, Divaina Gampaha District SJB MP Prasad Siriwardana has been summoned to the CID today (12th) for questioning over comments he made on a private television channel criticising the NPP government’s education reforms. The MP is a vocal critic of the reforms. |
Chinese foreign minister to visit Sri LankaDinamina Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi will make a brief visit to Sri Lanka today (12th), during his African tour. The minister is scheduled to meet Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath for a breakfast discussion on Tuesday (13th), focusing on matters such as accelerating Chinese projects, including developments at the Port City, and attracting more Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka.
|
Sri Lanka signs MOU with Japan to create 10,000 annual jobs for youth
Dinamina
A leading Japanese entrepreneur has pledged to provide 10,000 annual job opportunities in Japan for Sri Lankan youths who have completed their G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) being signed recently between Japan’s Enterprise United Cooperative and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).
The initiative, approved by the cabinet, commended Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath and the government for their support, and the Japanese delegation praised Sri Lanka’s cooperation in facilitating the program.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
The CID launches an investigation into a suspected hacking of the Ministry of Public Security website
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The CID has launched an investigation into unauthorised third-party access to the official website of the Ministry of Public Security, following a complaint filed by the ministry’s secretary on January 9.
The police stated that the Sri Lankan emblem on the site showed graphical irregularities, noting that the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) and the Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) had earlier intervened to restore the system following similar breaches.
The Northern railway line to be repaired with Indian aid
Dinamina, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
General Manager of Railways Ravindra Pathmapriya stated that the Northern railway line will close for two months for renovation under Indian assistance.
The renovation work, which commenced on January 11, involves rebuilding five bridges between Mahawa and Omanthai.
After completion, the line will be upgraded to allow the Yaldevi Express and night trains to run at full speed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Protests erupt in Iran: People take to the streets as government buildings and religious sites are set on fire – Dinamina, Divaina, Mawbima, Thamilan
2. Wimal stages a Satyagraha, demands the resignation of Harini [Amarasuriya] – Mawbima, Aruna, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. “Who is responsible for the loss of Rs. 60 million [due to errors related to the education reforms]?” – Mujibur Rahman – Mawbima, Virakesari
[/paywall]