DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Intensive investigation launched into Treasury fraud; to be conducted at national and international levels – Secretary Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma | Disciplinary action taken against two Treasury officials | 85% voter turnout in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election; results to be announced on May 4 | Silence of the Finance Ministry threatens financial security – MP Harsha de Silva | Finance Ministry Secretary must resign immediately – main opposition insists Thinakaran: Cyberattack on Finance Ministry’s IT system; steps taken to identify perpetrators with national and international experts; four dismissed and strict disciplinary action against others | Sri Lanka–Iran Foreign Ministers hold telephone conversation | Ban on mobile phone use in schools in the United Kingdom | Another ship to arrive with diesel on April 27 |
Thinakkural: Action initiated immediately upon receiving information; secrecy maintained to prevent hackers from escaping – efforts underway to recover funds lost in cyberattack, says Finance Ministry Secretary | How did funds go missing from the Treasury? Deputy Finance Minister to present a special report | Tamil Nadu Assembly election records unprecedented voter turnout | Will power cuts be implemented? | Strict interrogation of multiple officials following cyber fraud Thamilan: USD 2.5 million missing – fraud carried out through email hacking; action to be taken against officials; government says attempt to divert funds to India was thwarted | Financial fraud carried out using the name of SriLankan Airlines – Police warn the public to remain vigilant | Funds can be recovered with international assistance – Computer Emergency Response engineer states | Special team appointed by the Finance Ministry to identify cyber thieves | Measles resurfaces in Sri Lanka |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: “USD 2.5 million lost, hackers have invaded [the Treasury] – The Treasury admits: disciplinary action against several officials via internal investigations; there is no default on loans; the Australian government has been informed; the hackers have infiltrated the email network; the incident happened in January: did not make it public to protect the secrecy” – Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma states Divaina: The robbery at the CBSL: Will [you] resign, allowing space for a fair investigation? Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, dumbfounded at the question asked by Divaina: did you give approval? The question goes unanswered: “will apprehend the hackers and get as much money as possible; the USD 2.5 million covers not only one but several transactions” — Secretary to the Ministry of Finance | It is hard to retrieve money from hackers – A group of financial experts state
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Dinamina: Discussions with creditor nations continue: International support to investigate the cybercrime; technical and legal assistance also obtained; CID investigations continue; four officers suspended — Secretary to the Ministry of Finance explains Aruna: CID investigations into disappearance of USD 2.5 million Anidda: The same President who was protecting the accused minister, appointing the presidential commission [regarding the same], is problematic |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: IAS
Overseas Indian citizenship for Indian-origin Sri Lankans to be implemented soon
Thinakaran
Former State Minister of Culture and former President of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), P.P. Devaraj, stated that the provision of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status for Indian-origin Sri Lankans will be implemented following administrative procedures by the Indian government.
This follows an announcement by Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan during his visit to Sri Lanka, noting that OCI status would be extended up to the sixth generation of the community.
Devaraj highlighted that the Indian government continues to prioritise its relationship with the majority community while safeguarding the interests of people of Indian origin, a policy maintained since the era of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
He emphasised that these efforts are part of India’s broader strategy to enhance neighbourhood ties and maintain regional cooperation.
Tamil representatives failed to utilise meeting with Indian Vice President – Douglas
Thinakaran Former Minister Douglas Devananda stated that Tamil political representatives failed to properly utilise their recent meeting with Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan. He noted that rather than addressing the needs or aspirations of the Tamil people, the representatives used the opportunity to discuss internal conflicts and seek resolutions for their own disputes. Devananda expressed disappointment on behalf of the public, asserting that the visit was a significant opportunity that was squandered by the political leadership. He contrasted this with past instances where such opportunities were successfully leveraged to address community requirements. |
Sri Lanka and Iran discuss bilateral ties and regional cooperationThinakaran
MForeign Minister Vijitha Herath and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation on 22 October to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. During the call, Araghchi expressed gratitude to the Sri Lankan government for its efforts in recovering the vessel IRIS Dena and facilitating the repatriation of the crew and the remains of Iranian naval personnel. The Iranian minister condemned the attack on the vessel as a grave violation of international humanitarian law and the 1949 Geneva Conventions. Both ministers emphasised the importance of mutual cooperation in addressing regional and international challenges while exploring avenues to further enhance ties between the two nations |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Colombo Telegraph
Arjun Aloysius ordered to immediately pay VAT arrears
Lankadeepa, Aruna
Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshada Migara Maharachchi, yesterday (23rd), ordered the defendant directors of W.M. Mendis and Company, including Arjun Aloysius, to immediately complete the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) arrears allegedly owed to the state.
The Additional Magistrate issued the order when the case filed by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue was called yesterday (23rd).
The legal action seeks to recover tax payments that the company allegedly defaulted on during the years 2016 and 2017.
Defendant director Arjun Aloysius appeared before the court when the case was taken up for hearing.
“News circulating on social media regarding a financial irregularity is false” — Minister Lal Kantha complains to the CIDDinamina The complaint states that these social media posts are an organised attempt to damage the minister’s reputation and criticise the official processes of the ministry by suggesting irregularities exist. It further calls for a direct and open investigation through the CID to uncover the truth behind these allegations. |
The same President who was protecting the accused minister, appointing the presidential commission [regarding the same], is problematicAnidda Concerns have arisen within the legal field regarding a potential conflict of interest involving President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. These concerns stem from the President appointing a presidential commission to investigate the procurement of sub-standard coal, despite allegations that he previously “protected” the former Minister of Energy, Kumara Jayakody, in relation to the same incident. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Newswire
Discussions with creditor nations continue: International support to investigate the cybercrime; technical and legal assistance also obtained; CID investigations continue; four officers suspended – Secretary to the Ministry of Finance explains
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Anidda, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, stated that all necessary measures have been taken to apprehend perpetrators and recover as much of the funds as possible following the cyberattack on the computer system of the Department of External Resources.
Speaking at a special press conference held yesterday (23rd) at the Ministry of Finance, the secretary noted that assistance from local and foreign experts is being sought for this purpose.
He further revealed that the hackers had accessed the computer system of the Department via email.
International experts appointed to provide technical and legal advice on Sri Lanka’s external debt restructuring process are also assisting in the matter.
The Ministry has already taken steps to inform law enforcement agencies and other relevant sectors regarding the incident as well.
An internal inquiry conducted by a committee of officials, including two Deputy Secretaries to the Treasury, has led to legal and disciplinary action against several identified individuals.
Initial investigations have revealed that a third party intercepted nearly USD 2.5 million intended for an Australian institution. However, the Secretary confirmed that the government has commenced bilateral discussions with Sri Lanka’s creditor nations regarding the issue and that Australia and the relevant institution have been especially informed.
A joint Sri Lanka-Australia investigation | We are aware of the financial irregularity — High Commission of Australia
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari
The Australian High Commission has directed its attention toward several payment irregularities that have occurred regarding funds due to the Australian government.
Sri Lankan authorities have already commenced investigations into these financial discrepancies.
The Australian High Commission states that direct assistance and coordination from Australian officials are being provided for this purpose.
The primary objective of this joint investigation is to resolve the relevant payment issues, and the Australian government has assured its continuous support for Sri Lanka’s current efforts to achieve debt sustainability.
The Australian High Commission further mentions that Australia is committed to Sri Lanka’s economic revival and long-term financial stability, and through these investigations, it expects to further confirm international financial confidence.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Ability to pay Rs. 1 million and get a number ahead of 100,000 [applicants] when registering vehicles: a group has already secured numbers: 400,000 in line to obtain normal number plates; will start issuing immediately — RMV officers reveal before the COPE – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
2. Will provide the fullest support to find out what happened to the USD 2.5 million – Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) – Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thamilan
3. “[The hackers] have tried to steal the funds that were to be paid to India as well” — Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha – Dinamina, Thamilan
4. “The secretary of finance must resign” — MP Mujibur Rahman – Aruna, Virakesari
5. Orders to call the Krrish case against Namal Rajapaksa on May 29 – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran
6. The ‘Walk for Peace’ reaches the Dalada Maligawa on the second day – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakkural
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