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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Accountability is essential for the grave violations” – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk | Rajitha files an anticipatory bail application Thinakaran: Government employees who do not declare their assets are at risk | 106,000 arrested in joint operations by police and tri-services; 922 kg of heroin and 1,386 kg of ‘ice’ drugs recovered | The system for paying fines on site will begin in September |
Thinakkural: “If the Chemmani investigation is under the control of the Sri Lankan government, the police will disrupt it; there is no history in Sri Lanka where Tamil people have got justice” – Gajendrakumar | “Only 1 of the 22 promises made by Anura before becoming President has been fulfilled; the one was to be fulfilled by Ranil” – Sagara Thamilan: Kokkuthoduvai mass grave analysis reveals those who died from blast injuries! | “Muslim laws will not be changed” – Saroja Savithri Paulraj | Increasing underworld conflict in the country; 68 shooting incidents; 38 dead |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The Act and delimitation get in the way: EC hesitates to hold the Provincial Council Election Divaina: “26 criminals detained in Malaysia to be repatriated: special attention on two; no official news as for the whereabouts of Padme and Salinda; 68 underworld shootings within seven months: 37 deaths” – Police Media Spokesperson Ada: “1,165 firearms confiscated this year” – Police Media Spokesperson |
Mawbima: Shots fired at the Imbulgoda residence of a [Sri Lankan] visa officer based in Dubai over issue with granting visa for underworld figures | Petitions filed by a group of SJB members of the Seethawaka PS, against the Western Province LG Commissioner, dismissed Dinamina: Appointments made to Pradeshiya Sabha main chairs: court dismisses SJB petitions against secret elections | “Tea Board fraud of 1,765 million: Despite taking money for promotion in 25 countries, not a single advertisement published” – Samantha Vidyaratna goes to Bribery Commission Aruna: 4,058 house break-ins and 1,021 robberies reported in the first five months of the year; 2,755 robberies concerning property valued at more than Rs. 50,000 Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Asian Mirror
Government employees who fail to declare their assets will be fined 1/30 of their salary
Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has begun imposing fines on government officials who failed to submit their asset and liability declarations by the June 30 deadline.
The CIABOC has instructed the heads of all government institutions to deduct one-thirtieth of the monthly salary of non-compliant officials for each day of delay.
This directive took effect yesterday (14th), with the salary deductions commencing from that date.
“If the Chemmani investigation is under the control of the Sri Lankan government, the police will disrupt it; there is no history in Sri Lanka where Tamil people have got justice” – Gajendrakumar
Thinakkural All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam stated that the investigation into the Chemmani mass grave must be conducted internationally and not under the control of the Sri Lankan government. He expressed a profound distrust in the police handling the evidence, alleging a history of deliberately confusing investigations into atrocities against Tamils. He argued that Sri Lankan governments have historically ensured impunity for perpetrators. He claimed that even when individuals are convicted due to international pressure, they are typically acquitted on appeal or receive a presidential pardon, reinforcing the need for a fully international process. |
Kokkuthoduvai mass grave analysis reveals those who died from blast injuries!
Thamilan An analysis report on the 52 human skeletal remains from the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave has revealed that the majority of the victims were young people who died from blast injuries. The report identified the remains of 31 females and 21 males, with most estimated to be between 13 and 30 years old. According to the analysis, blast injuries were the cause of death for 32 individuals, while seven died from gunshot wounds and 12 from a combination of both. The mass grave, which was excavated by a team led by Prof. Raj Somadeva, was first discovered on June 29, 2024, in Mullaitivu. |
“Accountability is essential for the grave violations” – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker
Virakesari
Addressing the 27th Symi Symposium 2025 held in Skiathos, Greece, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk emphasised that human rights must be at the heart of conflict resolution, accountability, and peacebuilding.
Reflecting on his recent visits to countries including Sri Lanka, he highlighted the need for accountability for serious violations, justice for the families of missing people and truth-telling were front and centre.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Asian Mirror
Attempts to arrest Rajitha Senaratne: director general of the CIABOC summoned to court
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima
The Colombo Chief Magistrate, yesterday (14th), issued notices to the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), instructing him to appear in court on Friday, 18 July, to present submissions regarding the attempted arrest of former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne.
The order was made after the court considered an anticipatory bail application filed by Senaratne, who is reportedly being sought in connection with an alleged irregular sand mining project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour.
Appointments made to Pradeshiya Sabha main chairs: court dismisses SJB petitions against secret elections
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina The Court of Appeal, yesterday (14th), decided to dismiss without hearing four petitions filed by a group of SJB members, which had sought an interim order preventing the Western Province Commissioner of Local Government, Sarangika Jayasundara, from conducting secret ballots to elect the Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, Mawathagama Pradeshiya Sabha, Bandaragama Pradeshiya Sabha, and Seethawaka Urban Council. After considering the preliminary matters related to the petitions, the court dismissed the petitions. |
“Tea Board fraud of 1,765 million: Despite taking money for promotion in 25 countries, not a single advertisement published” – Samantha Vidyaratna goes to Bribery Commission
Dinamina Minister of Plantation Industries, Samantha Vidyaratna, appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), yesterday (14th), to provide a statement regarding alleged irregularities said to have occurred at the Sri Lanka Tea Board between 2015 and 2024. The minister was summoned to record a statement related to a previous remark he made concerning the alleged misconduct. Accordingly, a total of Rs. 1,765 million has reportedly been spent by the Tea Board between 2015 and 2024, claiming it was for the promotion of tea. Funds had also been obtained for advertisements and the development of websites. The funds were said to have been allocated to promote Sri Lankan tea in 25 countries. However, investigations by the Bribery Commission have revealed that none of the advertisements had been published in any of these countries. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Newswire
“26 criminals detained in Malaysia to be repatriated: special attention on two; no official news as for the whereabouts of Padme and Salinda; 68 underworld shootings within seven months: 37 deaths” – Police Media Spokesperson
Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Police Media Spokesperson, Attorney-at-Law and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler stated that a team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), including a senior police officer, has left for Malaysia and Thailand to conduct investigations related to 26 Sri Lankan suspects currently in custody in Malaysia.
He stated that an official notification regarding these Sri Lankans had been issued by Malaysian authorities.
The spokesperson added further that the Malaysian authorities have issued no official news on whether ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ and ‘Commando Salinda’ have been arrested.
Speaking to the media further, ASP Wootler added that the police have managed to confiscate 2,308 kg of heroin and ‘ice’ since the beginning of this year.
He also added that 68 underworld shootings have been reported and that 37 deaths have occurred.
He added that the police have also confiscated 1,165 different types of guns since the beginning of this year.
Thinakkural and Thamilan did not report the news regarding the Sri Lankan prisoners in Malaysia.
Duminda Dissanayake granted bail under strict conditions
Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake, who was arrested and remanded in connection with the recent discovery of a gold-plated T-56 assault rifle at an apartment complex in Havelock Town, Colombo, has been granted bail under strict conditions.
The order was issued by Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne after Dissanayake was produced in court last morning (14th).
Accordingly, the former minister was released on a cash bail of Rs. 250,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 5 million each.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Illegally registering a vehicle: Bail granted for three, including former DMT deputy commissioner – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Virakesari
2. “Allowance of Rs. 5,000 to be provided for children in orphanages and on the streets” – Savithri Paulraj – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. Three, including former minister Prasanna Ranaweera, further remanded – Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari
4. Rajitha Senaratne files (anticipatory) bail application – Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
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