[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][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: Nine military personnel, including seven army soldiers, arrested: Public security minister says action against organised crime continues | “Mahinda may leave immediately” – Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa | Investigate Sumanthiran: MP Shritharan requests in parliament | Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court orders legal action against MP Archuna | The United States decides to stop funding for the World Health Organisation; decides to withdraw from the organisation Thinakaran: World Bank agrees to provide financial and technical assistance for key government projects: Martin Reiser, the regional vice president of the World |
Thinakkural: “Major conspiracy against me; Sumanthiran must also be investigated” – MP Shritharan demands justice in parliament | “Government did not obstruct MP Shritharan; thorough investigation will be held” – Minister Bimal Rathnayake | Court orders Anuradhapura Police to arrest MP Archuna | “Travel ban is a massive injustice” – Rauff Hakeem on MP Shritharan’s issue | “Thajudeen and Lasantha’s killer speaks about the murders”: Government faction engages in heated argument with Namal in parliament | “Anura has forgotten that I am Mahinda, and yes I am ready to leave” – Mahinda, in a fierce rage Thamilan: Conspiracy behind travel ban: MP Shritharan complains in parliament, demands investigation into Sumanthiran | Government announces investigation into Shritharan’s complaint | “Shritharan has been treated unfairly” – Hakeem points out in parliament | Controversy erupts in parliament over MP Namal | “You will seek security in another six months” – MP Chamara Sampath tells the government |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: The ‘Professor’ title removed from Minister Abeysena’s name on the [parliament] website; “I do not work in the university anymore, so I asked for it to be removed” – Chrishantha Abeysena Divaina: “Former president Mahinda must leave the residence; there’s nothing to inform; this practice is common for all former presidents and widows of former presidents that use these residences” – Nalinda Jayatissa Ada: “29,000 criminal files found at the CID; will establish the FCID and commence investigations into financial crimes” – Ananda Wijepala |
Mawbima: Approval sought to import 200 million coconuts from abroad | Two pairs of tusks missing from the Saman Devala in Ratnapura; keys of the chests including gold, silver, pearls and gems also missing Dinamina: “29,000 files related to crimes like bribery and corruption that were swept under the carpet, found” – Ananda Wijepala Aruna: A coconut shortage during the first four months: 200 million coconuts [to be brought] from abroad Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“Major conspiracy against me; Sumanthiran must also be investigated”– MP Shritharan demands justice in parliament regarding his travel ban to India
Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
ITAK MP S. Shritharan raised a point of privilege in parliament, alleging a conspiracy to prevent his travel to India. He claimed immigration officials informed him of a travel ban without court orders or instructions from the Speaker, violating his parliamentary privileges. Shritharan detailed an incident at the airport where he was briefly stopped before his flight, with MP Rauff Hakeem’s intervention allowing him to board. He linked former MP Sumanthiran’s comments and a Facebook post by Ayub Azmin to a possible conspiracy against him. Shritharan also expressed concerns about the transfer of his personal security officer, submitting letters and evidence to parliament for further investigation.
World Bank agrees to provide financial and technical assistance for key government projects: Martin Reiser, the regional vice president of the World Bank for South Asia, confirmsThinakaran, Virakesari World Bank’s South Asia Vice President Martin Raiser assured financial and technical support for key Sri Lankan government projects. During a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, they discussed initiatives such as youth employment, the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project, rural poverty alleviation and digital transformation. They also explored new projects in education, energy and Northern development for potential support. Raiser confirmed the timely disbursement of financial assistance, while President Dissanayake stressed the importance of education in reducing rural poverty. He also highlighted the underperformance of Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector which employs 28% of the labour force but contributes only 6% to GDP. |
“Court summons will soon be sent to the homes of those who embezzled public funds” – Justice Minister Harshana NanayakkaraThinakaran, Thinakkural EPDP Secretary General Douglas Devananda has called on Tamil MPs visiting India to use the opportunity to find a permanent solution to the Indian and Sri Lankan fisherfolk issue. Speaking on the matter, he emphasised that Tamil MPs should aim for a permanent resolution to the fisherfolk’s problems, and that they must engage with leaders, including the Tamil Nadu chief minister, and highlight the struggles of our fishermen. Devananda further noted that it is essential to present the issue clearly to the people of Tamil Nadu. Despite various past efforts to resolve the matter amicably, he pointed out that attempts to meet Tamil Nadu leaders, including the chief minister, had not yielded results. He stressed the importance of utilising this rare opportunity to seek a solution. |
“Government did not obstruct MP Shritharan; thorough investigation will be held” – Minister Bimal Rathnayake
Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Jaffna District MP S. Shritharan raised a breach of privilege in parliament regarding an inconvenience he faced at the airport while trying to travel to India. Minister of Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake clarified that the government had no involvement in the incident and confirmed an investigation is underway. The minister stated that the chairperson of Katunayake Airport has been instructed to submit a report, and the deputy minister of defence is also looking into the matter. He dismissed suggestions that the PTA was involved, assuring that Shritharan faced no issues during his trip, and that the government only implements the act when necessary for public safety. The minister further assured that if the issue is brought before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee, further clarifications could be obtained from the relevant officials.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Discussions successful: a new UNP-SJB coalition
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina
General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that the first discussion that was held with the UNP was successful. He added that an agreement to unite the two parties was made at the meeting. He further added that the process through which the two parties are to be merged will be discussed in the near future.
Additionally, Dinamina reports quoting former minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne that preliminary discussions have commenced to form a front by bringing together the UNP, SJB and other groups of the Opposition.
Persons with disabilities have not been considered when building the Northern railroad: Minister and secretary of transport and chief of railways called to court
Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima Anuradhapura High Court Judge Nalinda Hewawasam issued notices for Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, the secretary of the ministry and the chief of Sri Lanka Railways to appear before the court on February 19. These individuals have been asked to appear before the court concerning an allegation that the platforms of the Northern railroad have not been built in a favourable way for persons with disabilities. |
“Former president Ranil has gone on 25 foreign visits within 24 months” – Nalinda Jayatissa
Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa stated in parliament yesterday (21st) that former president Ranil Wickremesinghe had made 25 foreign trips during the 24 months he held the office of president. Jayatissa added that the prime minister has requested a two-week time period to submit to parliament all the information related to the foreign visits of the former president as all such expenses must be calculated. |
“29,000 criminal files found at the CID; will establish the FCID and commence investigations into financial crimes” – Ananda Wijepala
Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told parliament yesterday (21st) that the government has decided to establish the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) next week and that investigations will be immediately carried out into all cases related to financial crimes that have not been properly probed in the past. He added that there is a backlog of 29,000 complaints pending with the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) and that all files related to financial crimes will be handed over to the FCID for further investigations.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Orders issued to file charges against MP Archchuna who allegedly obstructed police duty
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Nalaka Sanjeeva Jayasuriya yesterday (21st) rejected a request made by the Anuradhapura Police Headquarters to issue a notice ordering Ramanathan Archchuna to appear before the court. However, the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court ordered the police to carry out further investigations into the incident involving MP Archchuna Ramanathan who allegedly obstructed the duties of police personnel in the Rambewa area of Anuradhapura. The MP was stopped by the police when he had been driving with the vehicle’s ‘VIP lights’ switched on, without a driver’s licence or national identity card, from Jaffna to Colombo.
“No need to inform or send in writing; Mahinda must leave the house” – Nalinda Jayatissa
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Aruna, Virakesari, Thamilan
Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that it is better for former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to vacate his current residence without waiting till he is asked or informed to do so. Jayatissa added that Rajapaksa must do so if he understands the provisions of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act. Jayatissa made the statement during the weekly briefing to announce cabinet decisions and added that the act clearly says former presidents are entitled to only one-third of their salary. The spokesperson further added that this practice is common to all other former presidents and the widows of former presidents that reside in these residences.
___________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The E8 visa issue: CID questions Manusha Nanayakkara for six hours – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural
2. “Although Chandrika and Mahinda are being sent away from their homes, their names cannot be erased” – Chamara Sampath | “Mahinda will get 10 houses: people will provide” – MP Chamara Sampath | “You will seek security in another six months” – MP Chamara Sampath to the government – Divaina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. “Will involve every group of persons in the country’s economic process through the budget” – President – Ada, Thinakaran
[/paywall]
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]