[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5196.5px” custom_margin=”||-600px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5208.5px” custom_margin=”-15px|auto|-567px|auto||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5074px” custom_padding=”0px||30px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
|
Virakesari: Government summons Canadian high commissioner, expresses strong displeasure; Minister Vijitha Herath expresses objection to genocide accusation and approval of [Tamil Genocide] memorial Thinakaran: “The reason for JVP’s success is its conscientiousness, transparency and prudent actions” – President, at the 60th anniversary of the JVP |
Thinakkural: “International intervention is needed to stop land acquisitions in the North” – Tamil National Council urges four ambassadors Thamilan: Will MP [Ramanathan] Archchuna’s post be revoked? Attorney general informs court that he contested the general election while working as a government doctor |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: A game under the Rs. 700 million organic fertiliser project? No approval from the cabinet of ministers either – COPE to CIABOC against the LRC | 1,500 bags of substandard fertiliser found in a storage of a millionaire; the owner has fled; 11 including the manager caught; the fertiliser has been distributed to several areas: paddy fields have turned yellow Divaina: “Operating systems to be put in place to watch [bus] drivers’ long distance trips” – Bimal Rathnayake Ada: One out of three adults in the country suffer from High Blood Pressure (HBP): 50% are unaware that they suffer from HBP; HBP can be controlled by changing one’s lifestyle – Non Communicable Disease Unit of the Ministry of Health |
Mawbima: Mahindananda files anticipatory bail application requesting to prevent his arrest over the Chinese fertiliser consignment incident; the state ministry secretary has the financial power over the relevant transaction; the AG intervened to make the payment | The court re-includes the removed allegations regarding the road accident case concerning the secretary of the Ministry of Public Security – failing to prevent a road accident, driving under the influence, inconsiderate driving; case filed for all three allegations Dinamina: “We have the power of conscience, the power of applied intelligence; the government has an active electorate that thinks in new ways” – President states at the 60th anniversary of the JVP Aruna: The Opposition unites to seize power in 139 local authorities Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sunday Observer
“Sri Lanka did not commit genocide” – Ali Sabry
Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Commenting on the recently unveiled Tamil Genocide Memorial in Brampton, former Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry claimed that Sri Lanka did not commit genocide and that that claim is not only unfounded it is deeply damaging. On X, he noted that as a citizen deeply committed to Sri Lanka’s unity, dignity and reconciliation, he is both dismayed and saddened by the recent developments in Ontario, including the inauguration of a so-called “Tamil Genocide Monument” and the observance of a “Genocide Education Week”. He further added that no international tribunal has ever found Sri Lanka guilty of genocide. What took place in Sri Lanka was a tragic but necessary military operation to end a decades-long conflict against the LTTE, a proscribed terrorist organisation in over 30 countries including Canada, and was a war against terror, not against any community, he noted.
“International intervention is needed
|
A 10-member committee has been appointed to investigate the death of
|
Gary Anandasangaree appointed as the Minister of Public Safety of Canada
Thinakaran, Virakesari
Tamil-Canadian Member of Parliament Gary Anandasangaree has been appointed as the Minister of Public Safety in Canada by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Hiru News
An agreement among the Opposition to establish power in councils that the NPP has not won
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
The leaders of opposition political parties have reached a consensus to collectively establish administrative control over all local government bodies – including municipal councils, urban councils and pradeshiya sabhas – where the NPP does not hold a clear majority. The decision was made during a high-level meeting held yesterday (14th) in Colombo under the patronage of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. According to the agreement, general secretaries of the participating parties are scheduled to convene today (15th) to finalise and prepare the lists of names for appointments in the relevant local bodies. Reportedly, former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has been entrusted with the responsibility of convening and coordinating the initiative aimed at consolidating opposition power at the local level. The meeting was attended by opposition leaders and representatives including SJB MP Nalin Bandara, National Organiser of the SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Duminda Dissanayake representing the SLFP, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa representing the Podujana Eksath Peramuna, Leader of the Workers’ National Front Palani Thigambaran, Leader of the Democratic People’s Front Mano Ganesan, Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Udaya Gammanpila, General Secretary of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress Jeevan Thondaman, Asanka Navaratne, Sugeeshwara Bandara and Weera Kumara Dissanayake representing the New Democratic Front and Chairperson Vajira Abeywardena, General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala, National Organiser Sagala Ratnayake and former Minister Harin Fernando representing the UNP.
A game under the Rs. 700 million organic fertiliser project? No approval from the cabinet of ministers either – COPE to CIABOC against the LRC
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) revealed that although a cabinet paper was submitted in 2021 to initiate an organic fertiliser project at a cost of Rs. 700 million during former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s regime by the Land Reform Commission (LRC), no feasibility study has been conducted for it. Officials of the LRC have stated before the COPE that officials of the commission have not intervened in the preparation of this cabinet paper. The revelation was made when the COPE met recently at the parliament complex to examine the auditor general’s reports for the years 2022 and 2023 and the current performance of the LRC. |
“Rs. 1 million compensation to be given to each individual that died in the Gerandi Ella bus accident” | “Operating systems to be put in place to watch [bus] drivers’ long distance trips” – Bimal Rathnayake
Divaina, Ada, Dinamina Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament Bimal Rathnayake stated that the government has decided to award compensation worth Rs. 1 million for the passengers who lost their lives in the recent bus accident in the Gerandi Ella area. Rathnayake added that operating systems will be put in place in buses to watch bus drivers during long distance bus rides. |
26 ultra-luxury vehicles to be auctioned by the Presidential Secretariat today
Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina
26 luxury vehicles and decommissioned vehicles are scheduled to be auctioned today (15th) as part of the second phase of the Presidential Secretariat’s luxury vehicle auction. All of the relevant vehicles to be sold are vehicles manufactured within the last 10 years and the bidding process for these vehicles ended yesterday (14th). An auction was previously held to sell 14 luxury vehicles, six end-of-life vehicles and vehicle spare parts under the first phase of the Presidential Secretariat’s ultra-luxury vehicle auction.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily News
Sri Lanka strongly condemns the Tamil genocide monument in Canada: “We strictly reject baseless allegations regarding genocide” – Minister Vijitha Herath informs the Canadian high commissioner
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath yesterday (14th) summoned the Canadian high commissioner to formally object to Canada’s approval and inauguration of a Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton, Ontario. Herath, while criticising the construction of the monument, expressed the strong opposition of the government to “unfounded genocide allegations”. He stated that such actions could undermine Sri Lanka’s efforts toward national unity, reconciliation and lasting peace among its diverse communities. Herath expressed these concerns following the unveiling of the monument on May 10, which drew support from Tamil diaspora groups and Canadian officials.
“It is not possible to create a new chapter or new future while forgetting history; we are a movement that always favours being subject to inspection before the public” – President
Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
The 60th anniversary of the JVP was held in Colombo yesterday (14th). President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressing the gathering, stated that conscience, courage and practical knowledge played pivotal roles for the continuation of the JVP’s political force and victory. Dissanayake added that their conscience showed them the right path throughout history and that conscience gave the party the courage to face the future challenges as well. He stressed that a new chapter or future cannot be created while forgetting history. Dissanayake further stressed that the party assures the people that it will work based on its conscience even in the face of consumerism and betrayal and that they are dedicated to protect that conscience. Dissanayake stated further that the people have given the party a clear mandate to establish councils in 267 local government bodies including the Colombo Municipal Council, as the party has received the highest number of votes. The president added that they are prepared to legally deal with any situation that may obstruct this process. Dissanayake emphasised that if anybody tries to obstruct the party, they will deal with them using the constitution, law and politics. Dissanayake noted that the party respects the people’s mandate, and that other parties can form administrations if they want but that they will only be for a very few months.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. A trial-at-bar for Keheliya’s substandard medicine case – Lankadeepa, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
2. “Long distance bus service to be inspected” – IGP informs the police – Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
3. Petition requesting the removal of MP Archchuna from his MP post to be called on June 26 – Ada, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
4. The election for mayor of Colombo to be held on June 2 – Dinamina, Thinakkural, Thamilan
[/paywall]
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]