[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]
DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
|
Virakesari: “[I was] only summoned as a witness; I completely reject the Batalanda report; since 2000, no party, including the JVP, requested a debate on it; I was implicated only in the matter of providing housing for police officers; the report also extensively documented the JVP’s terrorist activities between 1988 and 1990” – Ranil Wickremesinghe Thinakaran: “The suspects of the Weligama shooting incident should not be arrested until the preliminary investigation is complete” – The attorney general instructs the CID; six CID teams to arrest Tennakoon | “The government will not allow any activity to take place that could affect health services” – Nalinda Jayatissa | The O/L examination begins today; an opportunity for prisoners and differently-abled candidates | The local government election: Nominations to be accepted from today until Thursday |
Thinakkural: Ranil rejects the allegations on the Batalanda torture camp; “There are no direct allegations against me in the report; [it contains] a large amount of information on the JVP’s terrorist activities” – Ranil announces via a special statement | “Arrest Ranil immediately; the president has the power” – [The FSP] | [The parties of] Ranil and Sajith are not in favour of debating [in parliament on the Batalanda report] Thamilan: Ranil completely rejects the Batalanda report! Alleges that it talks about the JVP | The Department of Posts prepared to launch a continuous strike; the first step taken yesterday evening | The Government Nursing Officers’ Association to also go on strike today | The O/L examination commences today |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: Six pilgrims who travelled to India contract unidentified disease; one patient admitted to Karapitiya with breathing difficulties; COVID-19 suspected; two labs conducting investigations | The report of the Batalanda Commission accuses 15 people | “I do not accept the report of the Batalanda Commission; it was appointed for political mudslinging” – Former President Ranil [Wickremesinghe] Divaina: The group that “danced the devil” (wreaked havoc) in Medirigiriya, caught; 300 disruptors identified through CCTV; 10 arrested; a loss of 40 million incurred| “The Batalanda Commission was appointed for political mudslinging; the report mentions the JVP’s terrorist acts during the 88-90 period. There is nothing else relevant about me there” – Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe Ada: “I fully reject the allegations in the report of the Batalanda Commission” – Wickremesinghe |
Mawbima: The G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination begins today; invigilators in examination halls banned from using cell phones | “The government’s decision to fill 5,882 public sector positions requires the EC’s approval” – Rathnayake Dinamina: The Medirigiriya musical show turns into a war zone: Six arrested; musical instruments and gear confiscated; The police report a loss of 5 million, the organising committee cites 40 million Aruna: The IGP’s wife and son unaware of his whereabouts; statements provided to the CID; six police teams are searching for him Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Ministry of Fisheries
“We do not need to arrest Indian fisherfolk; our concern is on the robbing of our resources” – Minister Chandrasekar in Katchatheevu
Thinakkural, Thinakaran
Addressing the media at Katchatheevu, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar claimed that there is no need for Sri Lanka to arrest Indian fisherfolk and jail them. He explained that their concern is the fact that marine resources are being robbed, which is unacceptable, and added that the Northern fisherfolk, who have been affected by the [civil] war have not recovered yet. The minister further clarified that Indian fisherfolk are arrested as they illegally encroach into [Sri Lankan waters] and use banned fishing methods. Thinakkural quoted the minister as stating that the fisherfolk issue will not affect the diplomatic relationship between India and Sri Lanka.
“The military killed 186 Tamils in a single night; there was no lack of Batalanda-like [torture camps] in the North and the East”– Srineshan
Thinakkural ITAK MP Gnanamuththu Srineshan claimed that the JVP, who is in power, has brought to light the secrets of the Batalanda torture camp after 37 years as their colleagues were killed there. He noted that there were many Batalanda-like torture camps across the North and the East during the period between 1987 and 2009. He added that 186 Tamil people from four villages were sexually abused, tortured and massacred in a single night in Sathurukondan, Batticaloa, by the military personnel of the Sathurukondan army camp. Srineshan highlighted that the Tamil people have doubts whether the NPP government will investigate these past atrocities and provide justice for the Tamil victims. He noted that such doubts have arisen as the victims were Tamil and the perpetrators were Sinhala military personnel. |
The FSP calls for Ranil’s arrest
Thinakkural, Virakesari The FSP has called for the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and others in relation to the Batalanda camp incidents. Addressing an event in Anuradhapura on Saturday (15th), Education Secretary of the FSP Pubudu Jayagoda claimed that criminals should be punished and that such acts do not constitute political revenge. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana Sinhala
“Sri Lanka’s first-ever nationwide wildlife census was a success” – Karunaratne
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne praised the success of Sri Lanka’s first-ever nationwide wildlife census, which was conducted on March 15 to assess the wildlife that damages agricultural crops. He expressed gratitude to the millions of participants, including members of the public, government officials, farmers, environmentalists and the media, who contributed voluntarily despite the census falling on a holiday. Karunaratne confirmed that a preliminary report would be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture by the end of the month.
“Rs. 8 billion allocated for the upcoming local government election” – Rathnayake
Aruna, Mawbima Discussing the upcoming local government election, Election Commission (EC) Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake confirmed that Rs. 8 billion would be spent on the election. Rathnayake also highlighted that the government’s decision to fill 5,882 public sector positions requires the EC’s approval, given the ongoing election period. |
“Ranil spent Rs. 16.2 million on trips abroad” – Rathnayake
Dinamina Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament Bimal Rathnayake has called for an immediate investigation into a private trip made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his spouse in September 2023 to England, during which they reportedly spent Rs. 16.2 million. Speaking during the parliamentary debate on March 15 on the expenditure head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rathnayake emphasised that this spending constitutes a criminal offense. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Newswire
The parliamentary debate on the report of the Batalanda Commission | Ranil rejects the allegations
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Ada, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The newspapers report that the debate on the report of the Batalanda Commission is scheduled for April 10. Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is implicated in the commission’s findings, denied any wrongdoing and stated that the inquiry was politically motivated. Wickremesinghe added that during the JVP insurrection from 1988 to 1990, his role was limited to ensuring that the security forces had adequate accommodation. Rejecting the commission’s conclusions, Wickremesinghe dismissed the allegations regarding his involvement in the violation of human rights.
Deshabandu’s writ petition to be heard today | The AG instructs the CID to not arrest the others
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Aruna, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The Court of Appeal is set to announce its decision today (17th ) on the writ application filed by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, seeking an interim order to stay the arrest warrant issued against him by the Matara Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Weligama hotel shooting. Meanwhile, the attorney general has directed the CID to not arrest the six other suspects linked to the incident, despite existing warrants. In a statement issued yesterday (16th ), the Police Media Division confirmed that as per the agreement reached at the Court of Appeal, the attorney general’s directive applies to all six suspects, including the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Colombo Crimes Division, until preliminary investigations are completed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination commences today – Mawbima, Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Divaina, Aruna, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. “If we receive no assurance of justice for the Easter Sunday attacks within one month, we will take to the streets” – His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. The submission of nominations for the local government election commences today – Aruna, Ada, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
[/paywall]
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]