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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Government’s budget to be with development targets. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to present the budget in parliament today (17th) | M.A. Sumanthiran appointed as the ITAK’s acting general secretary | Photograph: Discussions between former president Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the 8th Indian Ocean Conference Thinakaran: NPP government’s first budget today (17th): Debates to commence from tomorrow (18th) | Largest international smuggling incident in airport history: Woman arrested with drugs worth Rs. 360 million | Photograph: Final draft of the budget being presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake |
Thinakkural: Final draft of the budget submitted for president’s attention | A huge sum of money from United States Agency for International Development; several key figures are about to be trapped Thamilan: Final draft of the budget presented for president’s attention | A powerful India in the Indian Ocean! India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar takes pride in stating that India helped Sri Lanka during crisis | Passports of army personnel to be retrieved |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Army officers’ passports to be surrendered: Mandatory submission for ranks below major to prevent criminal fugitives| Compass [NPP symbol] government’s first budget today: PAYE tax amended, no new taxes, public sector salary hike and new jobs Divaina: 700 acres lost to Ella Rock forest fire Ada: A foreign woman apprehended at the airport with 36 kilogrammes of hashish |
Mawbima: “This year, over the past one and a half months, there have been 13 shootings resulting in nine deaths, with seven linked to underworld gangs” – Police media spokesperson | NPP’s maiden budget today: Hint at public-private salary hike, greater focus on agriculture; speech at 10.30 am Dinamina: New government’s maiden budget today; president presents the Appropriation Bill; public sector salary hike; 26-day debate; votes on February 25 and March 21 Aruna: Army passports for majors and below kept in camp custody; 499 desertions in January alone Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily FT
M.A. Sumanthiran appointed as the ITAK’s acting general secretary
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan, Thinakaran
Former MP M.A. Sumanthiran was appointed as the acting general secretary of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK). This decision was taken at the ITAK’s central committee meeting held in Batticaloa yesterday (16th) owing to the resignation of MP Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam due to health issues.
Virakesari, Thinakkural and Thamilan note that the decision to appoint Sumanthiran was vehemently opposed by sitting MPs Sivagnanam Shritharan and Gnanamuththu Srineshan and former MP Seeniththamby Yoheswaran.
Asian Development Bank provides USD 900 million in financial aid for economic development
Thinakaran The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director for Sri Lanka Takafumi Kadono stated that discussions are currently underway to provide USD 900 million for Sri Lanka’s economic development, and that the financing will be disbursed soon. The funds will be directed towards the development of Sri Lanka’s agriculture, electricity, tourism, skills development and economic stability. Last year, the ADB provided USD 808 million to aid Sri Lanka recover from the economic crisis. |
Gather the evidence of encroachment and bring it to the international stage – British Tamils ForumVirakesari, Thinakkural In a letter released the day before yesterday (15th), the British Tamils Forum (BTF) urged the preservation of Tamil identity in the North and East from destruction. The letter noted that since 1948 the Sri Lankan government has used its resources, powers, police forces, military and laws to systematically dismantle the Tamil homeland, with the goal of erasing the Tamil people’s ancestral homeland and replacing it with Sinhala-Buddhist symbols. The letter highlighted recent instances of such actions, including struggles in Thayiddy, Vedukkunari Hill and Kurunthur in the Northern Province and Mylanthanai in the Eastern Province. The letter called on politicians and civil society organisations to gather evidence of such encroachments and present it on the international stage. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Lanka Sara
“Is there a system in parliament for presenting certificates? Is this a tradition?” – Ranwala
Divaina
Former Speaker, MP Asoka Sapumal Ranwala has rejected calls to submit his academic qualifications to parliament, labelling such demands as political tactics. In an interview with BBC Sinhala, he questioned the need for presenting certificates in parliament, stating it was not a concern for the public. “Is there a system in parliament for presenting certificates? Is this a tradition? These are cheap tactics. We have more important work to do in parliament”, he remarked, adding that ongoing discussions would lead to the necessary actions. Ranwala resigned two months ago amid public scrutiny over his academic credentials. While denying any false claims, he acknowledged that certain documents needed to verify his doctorate from research institutions linked to Japan’s Waseda University were not currently available.
“Adani Group’s withdrawal from the wind power project is a scripted drama” – Nagamuwa
Aruna National executive member of the People’s Struggle Alliance Duminda Nagamuwa has raised suspicions about the Adani Group’s withdrawal from a troubled wind power project, suggesting it could be part of a scripted drama. Speaking at a special media conference organised by the People’s Struggle Alliance on February 15, Nagamuwa criticised the proposed wind power plants for its detrimental impact. He called on the government to be transparent with the public. “The government must answer to the people. We urge the public not to approve this project, which is not only plagued by allegations of fraud, but also poses serious environmental concerns. We call on the public to unite against this project and the vested interests of Adani and Modi”, he stated. |
“Mill owners won’t be allowed to raise rice prices despite paying prices above the controlled price for paddy” – Lal Kantha
Dinamina Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha has stated that despite mill owners purchasing paddy at prices higher than the government’s controlled rate they will not be permitted to raise the price of rice in the future based on these costs. He explained that although the government has set a guaranteed price of Rs. 120 per kilogramme of paddy, mill owners are paying more for the paddy. The minister made these comments during a media briefing at the Kandy District Secretariat. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Public Finance.lk
New government’s maiden budget; president to present the Appropriation Bill
Dinamina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Ada, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The second reading of the 2025 Appropriation Bill (Budget Speech) will be presented to parliament today (17th) at 10.30 am by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his role as finance minister. The budget debate is scheduled to take place from February 18 to March 21, 2025. The bill was first presented for the first reading on January 9, 2025. The second reading debate will take place over seven days, from February 18 to 25, with the vote set for 6.00 pm on February 25. The committee stage debate will run for 19 days, including four Saturdays, from February 27 to March 21. Budget proposals are expected to focus on revitalising loss-making public enterprises, increasing public servants’ salaries, reviving collapsed industries, developing infrastructure and addressing rural poverty.
Army passports for majors and below kept in camp custody
Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Ada, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The Sri Lanka Army has instructed all personnel below the rank of major to surrender their passports to their respective regiments. This action, as explained by Army Media Spokesperson Brigadier Waruna Gamage, is part of administrative measures. When asked whether the order was aimed at curbing the rising trend of desertion and individuals leaving the country, Gamage indicated that it could help address the issue.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. 13 Sri Lankans forcibly detained in cybercrime camps in Myanmar have been released – Dinamina, Divaina, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
2. Tissa Attanayake exits SJB-UNP merger talks – Dinamina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Ada, Thinakaran
3. 8th Indian Ocean Conference: Former president Wickremesinghe meets Indian minister of external affairs in Oman – Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thamilan
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