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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “[The NPP] is attempting to betray the military to the international community” – A main political party alleges; crocodile tears shed for the Batalanda report | Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong hosts a dinner on Saturday (22nd) to celebrate the birthday of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe Thinakaran: The Thalaimannar-Rameswaram ferry service, which commenced in 1965 and was stopped in 1981 due to the war, to be resumed soon | Thinakaran’s 93-year journey of achievements |
Thinakkural: Anura’s government is also encroaching on the lands of the Tamil people; a Buddhist centre opened in Thaiyiddy amidst resistance; a protest held while uttering various slogans; The new government [is carrying out] secret activities [constructing a new building] at the Thaiyiddy Viharaya” – A land owner worries”; the police appear with handcuffs to threaten [the participants of the] Thaiyiddy protest Thamilan: “Provide justice for rejected nominations!” – Political parties request the Election Commission | Ven. Sannasgama Indarathana Thera receives a degree in Tamil | Deshabandu [Tennakoon] adamant on obtaining home-made food | “Stress for school students due to heavy school bag” – Dr. Chamal | Photograph: “Happy birthday Ranil!” – Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong hosts a dinner on Saturday (22nd) to celebrate the birthday of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The report on restructuring government institutions published; 12 institutions running at a loss to be closed; includes the Mahaweli Authority; SLBC, SLRC and ITN to be merged; the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital is a burden on the country | A Facebook party in Seeduwa; 76 nabbed Divaina: The murder of young men in Dondra: A contract worth five million from Dubai? Permission granted to detain the four arrested until March 29 for questioning; the deceased Pasindu was an innocent man with no connection to the conflicts; [the murder] is the work of two drug-dealing brothers who fled to Dubai Ada: Vehicles brought for religious places; the licence conditions of about 158 have been violated |
Mawbima: “Candidates who have submitted nominations [for the local government election] are engaging in O/L examination-related work. Legal action will be taken against candidates who have not taken official leave” – The Election Commission | 22 murders this year; the double murder near the Dewundara Devalaya: Four, including a woman, arrested; the contract came from Dubai Dinamina: A new bill to reclaim illegally acquired state property to be tabled in parliament on April 8 | Yoshitha’s buddies “dance the devil” [wreak havoc] at a nightclub —10, including his spouse, were present; a security guard attacked Aruna: The double murder near Dewundara Devalaya was a contract killing worth five million; it was one of Bage Malli’s (hiding in Dubai) operations Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Thinakaran
Anura’s government is also encroaching on the lands of the Tamil people; a Buddhist centre opened amidst resistance
Thinakkural, Virakesari
The owners of the land on which the Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya in Thaiyiddy has been built and members of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) held a protest near the temple yesterday (23rd) when an opening ceremony was held for a new building constructed in secret in the temple premises. The people have voiced their discontent at these activities as Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi recently claimed that the private lands will be handed over to the relevant owners. The opening ceremony was held amidst tight security provided by the police and the STF.
The Thalaimannar-Rameswaram ferry service to be resumed soon
Thinakaran Steps are being taken to resume the ferry service between Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) and Thalaimannar, which was suspended due to the war in the country. M. Vallalar of the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board stated that the ferry service will allow passengers to reach Rameswaram in India from Thalaimannar within an hour. The ship can carry 250 passengers at a time and will provide a new way for passengers to cross the sea between the two countries. He noted that this will not only restore the historic trade relations between India and Sri Lanka, but will also provide a great opportunity for tourism. |
“[The NPP] is attempting to betray the military to the international community” – A main political party alleges; crocodile tears shed for the Batalanda report
Virakesari Addressing a media briefing yesterday (23rd), SJB MP Ajith P. Perera accused the NPP government of trying to betray the security forces including the Sri Lanka Army, for the sake of Al Jazeera‘s agenda for the LTTE. He added that Al Jazeera targeted former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on behalf of the LTTE to portray the security forces as criminals to the international community. |
The DTNA and the TMK to file a case with the SC on rejected nominations
Thamilan, Thinakkural
Thamilan reports that the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) and the Tamil Makkal Kootani (Tamil People’s Council) are to file cases with the Supreme Court regarding the nominations for the upcoming local government election that had been rejected. Thinakkural quotes Suresh Premachandren of the DTNA as stating that they had submitted certified copies of the birth certificates of the candidates and that it had not been mentioned anywhere that originals needed to be submitted.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: serenbona.lk
“We have reached a level of economic stability that inspires confidence for a prosperous future” – The president
Mawbima, Divaina
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the country has reached a level of economic stability that can inspire confidence in its potential for a prosperous future. He noted that the increase in state revenue and the revival of several development projects, initially funded by foreign assistance but halted midway, signal this stability. The president made these remarks in parliament on March 21 during the debate on the third reading of the 2025 budget.
“An app for reporting election violations to the EC
Dinamina, Ada The Election Commission (EC) introduced a new mobile application on March 22 to facilitate the filing of complaints related to the local government election. The EC Election Dispute Resolution (EDR) app enables the public to submit election-related complaints through a formal and technologically advanced platform. Chairperson of the Election Commission R.M.A.L. Rathnayake explained that the app allows the public to file complaints, track their status, and submit video and photo evidence to support their claims. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in addressing election-related concerns. |
Deshabandu’s eight apartments under CID scrutiny
Dinamina The CID’s Illegal Assets Division has launched an investigation into the assets of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon. The CID has revealed that it is focusing on information suggesting that several properties owned by Tennakoon are registered under the names of various individuals. Reports indicate that he owns eight residencies in luxury apartment complexes in and around Colombo and investigations are underway in relation to these properties. A senior CID official stated that while Tennakoon is alleged to have assets under the names of other people, he does not even have a bicycle in his own name. |
“The underworld has certainly revived under this government” – Premadasa
Ada
Speaking at a public rally held in the Gampaha District, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that irrespective of how the people are faring, the underworld has certainly revived under the new government. Premadasa also added that although this government claimed to represent the working people, today they have forgotten the ordinary people and have become mere imitators of capitalists. He noted that the society being consumed by the underworld is a clear example of this. Premadasa further claimed that it was originally the JVP political movement that introduced the origins of the underworld to the country, including shooters, kidnappings and a culture of murder.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Yoshitha’s buddies “dance the devil” [wreak havoc] at a nightclub
Dinamina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Ada, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Slave Island Police have launched an investigation into an assault on the chief security officer of a nightclub located at Union Place, Colombo, by a group of people who arrived with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa. The assault took place in the early hours of Saturday (22nd), and police investigations have revealed that a group of around 10 people, including Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his spouse, had arrived at the nightclub. Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Sanjeewa Dharmaratne stated that the three individuals who attacked the security officer have been clearly identified and are currently in hiding following the incident. A police team has been deployed to arrest them. Aruna reports a statement from the police indicating that initial investigations have revealed that Yoshitha Rajapaksa was not involved in the incident.
The murder of young men in Dondra: A contract worth five million from Dubai?
Mawbima, Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Divaina, Aruna, Anidda, Virakesari
The Matara Magistrate’s Court has ordered the four suspects arrested in connection with the Dondra shooting incident to be detained for questioning until March 29. The police report that on March 21, two individuals were killed in a shooting on Sinhasana Road, in front of the southern entrance of the Dewundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya. Further details regarding the double murder have been uncovered, with investigations pointing to the criminal Shehan Sathsara alias Bala Malli as the prime suspect. According to the police, the shootings were allegedly the result of a dispute between the two victims, identified as Pasindu Tharaka and Yomesh Nadeeshan, and Bala Malli. The suspect is reported to be currently hiding in Dubai.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. A new bill to reclaim illegally acquired state property to be tabled in parliament on April 8 – Dinamina, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
2. Deshabandu to receive meals from home on request – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Virakesari, Thamilan
3. Ranil celebrates 76th birthday; the Chinese ambassador gives Ranil Wickremesinghe a birthday party – Aruna, Divaina,Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
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