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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: UK sanctions Shavendra (Silva), (Wasantha) Karannagoda, Jagath (Jayasuriya) and Karuna (Amman): sanctions aim to seek accountability for serious human rights violations and abuses, committed during the civil war, and to prevent a culture of impunity | Udaya Gammanpila released | “I will not join hands with Mahinda or Ranil” – Opposition Leader Sajith [Premadasa] | Mervyn [Silva] and two others have been further remanded | New resolution in September British representative Ben Mellor informs Sumanthiran Thinakaran: Legal action against 22,450 government, semi-government, and private sector companies for failing to pay Rs. 36 billion of EPF funds to the employees | Health authorities warn public as Chikungunya risk escalates in the country | CBSL Governor warns: Lack of financial literacy fueling rise in pyramid scams | “Sexual harassment, domestic violence at alarming level” – DIG Renuka (Jayasundara) | Veteran journalist and media rights activist Thaha Muzammil has passed away; Free Media Movement expresses condolences | “We have no intention or need to join hands with anyone” – Sajith [Premadasa] |
Thinakkural: “Don’t forget that this is a Buddhist country; What is happening in the North is a threat to security; Threats from Tamil communal thugs are a major crisis for Buddhist worship and practices” – Sarath Weerasekara | Minister Prasanna Ranaweera flees the country | “Sajith-Mahinda-Ranil merger will not happen” – Opposition Leader Sajith (Premadasa) | Batalanda issue sparks crisis in Geneva; Strong resolution expected | Call to use 2/3 majority to revoke citizenship of individuals declared criminals by commission Thamilan: United Kingdom imposes sanctions on Shavendra, Karannagoda, Jagath, and Karuna over serious human rights violations | Central Bank Governor warns of need for caution in investments | Easter Sunday attack incident; trial to be held on July 2nd | Gammanpila released | COPA committee reveals Department of Motor Traffic’s activities led to a loss of Rs. 78.15 million | Mano Ganesan meets Julie Chung |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Britain’s doors closed for four including Shavendra (Silva), (Wasantha) Karannagoda and Jagath Jayasuriya due to human rights allegations | EC requests [to review] cabinet decisions: to check if they will affect the election; district assistant commissioners given authority; restrictions on distributing goods; the election expenses of one party to be released this week Divaina: “Hamuduruwane [urging venerable monks], please intervene and stop these murders; if this crime wave is stopped, the work for the police and the courts are reduced and the lives of the youth will also be saved” – DIG of Matara and Hambantota Nishantha de Zoysa Ada: Poverty increased: a considerable number of individuals employed in permanent jobs in the government and private sector have approached the poverty line; a considerable number of professionals such as school teachers and university lecturers are also among them; Aswesuma is only a means of helping those that suddenly fell into poverty, survive, apart from that there is no way to bring them out of poverty – CEPA research reveals |
Mawbima: The RMV has issued vehicle numbers of high commissioners to other vehicles – Revealed at COPA | Gammanpila released and acquitted from the Power of Attorney case after nine years Dinamina: “A Rs. 36 billion fraud: 22,450 companies have not paid EPF” – Deputy Minister Jayasinghe states that legal measures will be taken Aruna: A criminal gang has imported goods worth Rs. 120 million after tricking Customs: food rations and lotions found in three containers Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Newswire
“Don’t forget that this is a Buddhist country; What is happening in the North is a threat to security; Threats from Tamil communal thugs are a major crisis for Buddhist worship and practices” – Sarath Weerasekara
Thinakkural, Thamilan
Former Minister Sarath Weerasekara has accused “communal Tamil goons” of disrupting the inauguration of a new temple at Thissa Viharaya in Kankasanthurai. He claimed that high-ranking government officials ordered the eviction of military personnel involved in the event, fearing these groups. Weerasekara condemned the action as a “violation of Buddhism” and called for an investigation into who issued the order to disrupt the ceremony.
He suggested that the President, the Deputy Minister of Defense, or other senior officials may have been responsible.
Weerasekara also criticised the interference with religious activities, calling it a “threat to national security”, and urged the President to take immediate action.
“Minister Vijitha Herath will not visit the US” – Julie Chung informed Mano [Ganesan]
Thinakkural, Thamilan A meeting between Mano Ganesan, leader of the Democratic People’s Front (DPF) and Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), and US Ambassador Julie Chung was held at the US Embassy in Colombo. Ambassador Chung clarified that the news about the Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs visiting the US next week was inaccurate. Ganesan discussed Sri Lanka’s trade with the US, focusing on exports and imports worth millions. Ambassador Chung mentioned that under the Trump administration, Sri Lanka is expected to increase imports from the US, particularly in clothing and raw materials. Ganesan reiterated his party’s commitment to continuing the 2015 land rights initiative and stressed the importance of national reconciliation, political reform, and addressing issues such as military involvement and missing persons. The meeting also covered topics like foreign investment and tourism, with Ganesan being informed that Minister Vijitha Herath would not be visiting the US. |
CBSL Governor warns: Lack of financial literacy fueling rise in pyramid scams
Thinakaran, Thamilan The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, has stated that the lack of financial literacy is the main reason many Sri Lankans fall victim to pyramid schemes. Speaking at an event focused on educating the public about new financial technologies, he warned against fraudulent investment schemes exploiting legal loopholes. Dr. Weerasinghe highlighted the dangers of online scams promising unrealistic returns, particularly in sectors like agriculture, and urged people to question such offers. He also stressed the importance of financial education as Sri Lanka embraces digital financial services, emphasising that improved financial literacy will help protect citizens from fraud. |
“Future steps planned to elevate Tamil Media to a new level” – Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar
Thinakaran
At the 93rd birthday celebration of Thinakaran, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar highlighted the government’s commitment to taking Tamil media to a new level.
Following the mandate from the local government elections, the government plans to provide a fresh impetus to Tamil media, with a focus on enhancing its reach and impact. The minister also mentioned that discussions would be held to uplift Thinakaran as part of this initiative. During his speech at the event, held at the Lake House Auditorium and chaired by Gamini Warushamana, the minister acknowledged the vital role Tamil media, including Thinakaran, has played in serving the Tamil community. Chandrasekhar stressed that, the newspaper should now reclaim its independence and return to its original purpose, serving all communities without political bias.
He expressed his hope that Tamil media, as a whole, would embrace a new path, one that prioritises the interests of the people and fosters a free, independent press.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
The doctor who got assaulted in Anuradhapura has not turned up for the identification parade for the second time
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima
The suspects’ identification parade rescheduled in connection with the sexual assault of a female doctor in Anuradhapura was cancelled yesterday (24th). The parade was thus cancelled as the victimised doctor did not participate to identify the suspects through the identification parade. The identification parade was initially scheduled to be held on March 17, but the doctor had not appeared in court for the procedure that day. Accordingly, the suspect arrested in connection with the sexual assault on the doctor of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been ordered to be further remanded until March 28, 2025.
“A mayor suitable for the UNP will be appointed after the election” – Ravi Karunanayake
Dinamina MP Ravi Karunanayake stated that the UNP, SJB, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and the Tamil parties will unite to appoint a mayor for Colombo who will carry forward the image of the UNP. He made the statement on Sunday (23rd) during a media conference held in Colombo. Karunanayake added further that there were two demons in the UNP and added that the merger of the SJB and the UNP will not happen with dignity because of these two demons. He added that everyone in the party needs to unite and move forward and appointing a mayor that all the above mentioned parties agree to will be a step forward in that direction. |
“Yoshitha is not a member of the SLPP” – Sagara Kariyawasam
Dinamina General Secretary of the SLPP, Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam, stated that Yoshitha Rajapaksa is not a member of the SLPP and that he is only the brother of the national organiser of that party and the son of the leader of the party. Kariyawasam made the statement in response to a question raised by a journalist at a media conference held yesterday (24th) regarding a recent clash at a nightclub. He added that there were many people that visit clubs and that the police had conducted an investigation into the incident, but that no legal action had been taken against Yoshitha Rajapaksa as a result of the investigation. |
EC requests [to review] cabinet decisions: to check if they will affect the election; district assistant commissioners given authority; restrictions on distributing goods; the election expenses of one party to be released this week
Lankadeepa
Sources report that the Election Commission (EC) has informed the government to keep the EC informed of the cabinet decisions that will be made during the period leading up to the upcoming Local Government (LG) elections.
The move has been made to review if the cabinet decisions will affect the election. Accordingly, moves such as distributing goods to the public have also been restricted. The report further reads that the amount that must be spent by one party for the election will be revealed during the week.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
“The Ranil-Sajith-Mahinda coalition is a lie” – Premadasa
Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Leader of the SJB Sajith Premadasa stated that there is no coalition between himself, and former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe. He added that there are mere rumors that are being reported in the print media and highlighted in programmes where newspapers are discussed. Premadasa added further that the SJB does not need any coalitions to compete in the upcoming elections. He made these statements at a meeting held on Sunday (23rd) with the Kurunegala District candidates of the SJB for the upcoming local government elections.
Britain’s doors closed for four including Shavendra, Karannagoda and Jagath Jayasuriya due to human rights allegations
Lankadeepa, Ada, Aruna, Virakesari, Thamilan
The Government of the UK has imposed sanctions on four individuals, claiming that the relevant individuals are responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations during the Sri Lankan civil war. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK states that measures such as travel bans and asset freezes, target individuals responsible for a range of violations, such as extrajudicial killings, during the civil war.
Those sanctioned include, former Head of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces General Shavendra Silva, former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Jagath Jayasuriya and former military commander of the LTTE, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, who subsequently created and led the paramilitary Karuna Group, which worked on behalf of the Sri Lanka Army.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Gammanpila released and acquitted from the Power of Attorney case after nine years – Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thamilan
2. No bail for three including Mervyn: remanded till April 3 – Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari
3. Jayantha Jayasuriya appointed Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Thamilan
4. “A Rs. 36 billion fraud: 22,450 companies have not paid EPF” – Deputy Minister Jayasinghe states that legal measures will be taken – Dinamina, Thinakaran
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