[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5196.5px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5175.5px” custom_margin=”-33px|auto||auto||” 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=”5080px” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]
DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
|
Virakesari: Deshabandu [Tennakoon] remanded; Matara magistrate gives orders following his surrender; decision to be taken on bail today | “Legal action cannot be taken against Ranil [Wickremesinghe regarding Batalanda]” – Rajitha [Senaratne] Thinakaran: Tennakoon, who surrendered, remanded | “Tamil political parties should unite! We are not contesting because we lack funds” – Anandasangaree | [Annual] graduation of the University of Jaffna commences |
Thinakkural: Acceptance of nominations for 336 local government bodies ends at noon today; special security across the country | “Is there a ‘deal’ regarding Batalanda?” – S.M. Marikkar suspects | “Justice should be meted out for the killings of Tamils from 1956 to the
Thamilan: Deshabandu [Tennakoon] surrenders! Court orders to remand him till today | 1,009 liquor bottles at the residence of Deshabandu! Minister Ananda Wijepala announces that a gun was also recovered |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: A new gazette to release the vehicles held up at the harbour: 400 vehicles that were held up to be released; relief for Japanese vehicles; a reduction of prices in the market |Deshabandu remanded for a day; a separate cell given at the police station Divaina: Deshabandu, who surrendered to the Matara court, remanded for a day Ada: Deshabandu who was in hiding for 20 days remanded for one day |
Mawbima: Supreme Court dismisses Mahinda’s petition against the reduction of his security | MP Archchuna’s speeches banned from being broadcast till May 8 Dinamina: Deshabandu remanded: Surrenders to the Matara court after 20 days in hiding Aruna: Lecturer dies in car crash on the central expressway: wife and three children are in critical condition; had met with the accident while returning from a trip to Jaffna; the deceased is the head of the Kelaniya Psychology Department Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
“Investigations must be carried out on genocide too” – S. Shritharan urges in parliament
Thinakkural, Thamilan, Virakesari
Addressing parliament yesterday (19th), Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) MP S. Shritharan stated that the genocide against Tamil nationalism should not be hidden by the word ‘Batalanda’. “You who argue that what was done to Tamils was not genocide are preparing to talk about the Batalanda massacre. We are not opposing it, we want an investigation. We, as Tamils, welcome the need for justice for those who were unjustly tortured and killed before the eyes of justice. At the same time, you should hold a debate, investigate and provide justice for the genocide committed against the Tamil people from 1956 to the final war in 2009”, he noted. He added that not only Batalanda, but there are detention camps in many parts of this country, in the North and East, adding further that if they dig the soil in the areas where the Tamils live, they will find the skeletons of the Tamils. “We are the victims. We are a separate national race that was destroyed in this land. What we are asking for is justice, that justice must be fair and the investigation must be subjected to international scrutiny and respect for humanity and human rights”, he stressed.
“People should not make the same mistake they made in the general election, in the LG election” – Ponnambalam
Thinakkural All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam stated that it is the imperative of the times to strengthen them (his party) who travel firmly on policy without giving importance to seats and positions. He added that the people should realise this and not make the mistake they made in the last parliamentary election. “There is an alternative opinion that the parties in the Tamil national arena may have made mistakes. Not all of them made those mistakes. Therefore, [the people] should not act in a way to punish everyone; that is disappointing. They should not act as they did in the last election. That is inappropriate. We should look at each one individually, and act accordingly”, Ponnambalam noted. |
“Modi should not go to Sri Lanka” – Vaiko | “Indian navy does not
|
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Lanka Leader.lk
Deshabandu’s wife goes to court against the CID for searching the house with no court order
Divaina, Ada, Aruna
The wife of suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon filed a complaint on Tuesday (18th) with the Athurugiriya Police, alleging that officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) searched their residence in Hokandara East, Athurugiriya, without a search warrant. She added that when the CID arrived at the house and announced their intention to search, she requested to see a court approved search warrant. However, the CID officers conducted the search forcibly, without any such warrant.
“Sajith has not accepted Imthiaz’s resignation letter” – Madduma Bandara
Lankadeepa, Mawbima General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that Leader of the Opposition and the SJB Sajith Premadasa has not accepted the letter submitted by Imthiaz Bakeer Markar resigning from all posts held in the SJB including the chairpersonship of the party. The general secretary added that Imthiaz Bakeer Markar is still the chairperson of the SJB. Madduma Bandara further added that Bakeer Markar is a respected member of the party, and that the stance of the party is that he continue in the roles that he holds in the party. |
“Will support the opportunity to obtain GSP” – Premadasa
Lankadeepa Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stated in parliament yesterday (19th) that the Opposition is prepared to support the move to obtain the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). He added that this will facilitate the birth of many factories and job opportunities in Sri Lanka. Premadasa further added that he accepts that securing this facility will be a challenge with the tax policy of the newly appointed President of the USA Donald Trump. |
An economic growth of 5% reported in 2024
Dinamina
The Department of Census and Statistics states that Sri Lanka’s economy has grown by 5% in 2024 compared to 2023. The main sectors of the economy, namely, agriculture, industry and services have grown by 1.2%, 11.0% and 2.4% respectively compared to the previous year. It states further that Sri Lanka’s economic growth which was negative in 2022 – 2023 has turned positive since the third quarter of 2023. The department added further that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023 was recorded at Rs. 11,877,556 million and that it has grown to Rs. 12,472,469 million in 2024.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Deshabandu, who surrendered to the Matara court, remanded for a day
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon was remanded yesterday (19th) for one day (until March 20). The Matara Magistrate’s Court proceeded to remand Tennakoon after he surrendered to court yesterday (19th) morning. The court further informed that the decision on Deshabandu Tennakoon’s bail application will be announced today (20th). Deshabandu surrendered following a 20-day hideout while an open warrant had been issued against him over a shooting incident at a prominent hotel in Weligama. Accordingly, Deshabandu Tennakoon had evaded arrest since an arrest warrant was issued for him. The Court of Appeal had also rejected his petition seeking an order to prevent his arrest.
MP Archchuna’s speeches banned from being broadcast till May 8
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced yesterday (19th) that a ban on the live broadcast of Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna’s statements on audiovisual and social media will be imposed for the next eight parliamentary sessions, starting today (20th). The Speaker made the decision due to the controversial speeches made by the MP, and deemed the derogatory and insulting statements made by the MP to be detrimental to national unity and reconciliation. The Speaker stated further that any occasional derogatory, indecent or vulgar remarks made by MP Archchuna will be removed from the Hansard records. Accordingly, MP Archchuna’s speeches in parliament on March 20, 21, April 8, 9, 10, May 6, 7 and 8 will be barred from being broadcast live. Additionally, the Speaker informed parliament that he will assess whether to lift this temporary ban based on the MP’s conduct during the restricted period.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Supreme Court dismisses Mahinda’s petition against the reduction of his security – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. Today is the last day for nomination submission for the LG election | 21 parties and 15 independent groups have submitted nominations – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. “The Batalanda report was not brought forth as an agenda of the JVP” | “Legal action cannot be taken against Ranil” – Rajitha Senaratne – Dinamina, Virakesari
[/paywall]
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]