DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
|
Virakesari: 22 Buddhist monks arrested with a massive quantity of drugs; detained for investigations until May 2; the head monk who sent the monks overseas also caught | “All 22 monks will be expelled from the Sasana (the order of the Buddhist Monks)” – Joint statement by the mahanayake theras Thinakaran: High-level talks with Norway to utilise modern technologies in the fishing industry; a team led by Minister Chandrasekar holds discussions | Surveying of the Thaiyitti Vihara lands scheduled for tomorrow | Trump targeted in shooting; suspect arrested |
Thinakkural: The USD 2.5 million issue: “The government is attempting to shield officials” – Champika | The Treasury cyber heist expands; French loan documents also suddenly vanish from the computer! | 22 monks arrested with drugs worth Rs. 1.1 billion upon returning to Sri Lanka from Thailand; 110 kg of kush and hash seized at the airport; reveal they were on a luxury vacation in Thailand | Easter Sunday attacks: Danger to witnesses’ lives! Death threats being received Thamilan: Documents for France’s loan are missing! New information released | The Treasury secretary to resign? Controversy within the government over the incident of the USD 2.5 million |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: A file related to French loans is also missing from the Treasury: Suspicions as to whether the hackers are involved | 111 kg of narcotics found in the bags of 22 monks: The monk who organised the Thailand trip also arrested; have fled to another temple from Kadawatha; 12 sent to Thailand previously as well; a Piriven instructor also among those arrested Divaina: The 12 monks taken to Thailand, lured into temptation and used to transport narcotics: The monk who organised the scam, caught in Gampaha; 22 monks caught with narcotics worth more than Rs. 1.1 billion; the first instance where a large group of monks was caught with a large haul of narcotics
|
Dinamina: 22 monks arrested with narcotics worth Rs.1.1 billion: “Anti-religious imposters in robes will be expelled from the Sasana (the order of Buddhist monks)” – A statement from the mahanayake theras of the three nikayas; the largest stock seized at the airport; a smuggler clad in robes who provided air tickets and accommodation facilities for the Thailand trip netted; videos and photos of roaming in clubs in lay attire after going abroad; seven-day detention orders Aruna: Retrieving the USD 2.5 million is a challenge; only on rare occasions has money been recovered – The SLCERT Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamilwin
Essential to exercise the right to internal self-determination: Sumanthiran says all Tamil parties have now reached a consensus | “All Tamil parties hold a single stance on federalism; must use this government to obtain federalism” – MP Shanakiyan
Virakesari, Thinakkural
Thinakkural: ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam stated that a government with a two-thirds majority is uniquely positioned to provide a federal-based political solution for the Tamil people through a new constitution.
Speaking at the 49th remembrance event of S.J.V. Chelvanayakam in Batticaloa, he noted that the current government enjoys significant trust among the Sinhala people, which is essential for implementing such a solution.
Shanakiyan reaffirmed that the ITAK remains steadfast in its long-standing journey, following the path of Chelvanayakam, to establish a federal system of governance in Sri Lanka.
Virakesari: Speaking at the 49th remembrance of S.J.V. Chelvanayakam in Jaffna on Sunday (26th), ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran stated that the Tamil people are recognised as a nation under international law. Sumanthiran also noted that the call for distinct political rights arose after the Tamil people were excluded from national life following the creation of the first constitution.
Sumanthiran highlighted that all Tamil political parties now hold a unified position on exercising the right to internal self-determination. He added that Chelvanayakam introduced the concept of a nation early on to express the inherent right to self-determination.
“Federalism is not secession; it is a broad political philosophy” – Prof. G.L. Peiris points out at the Chelvanayakam Memorial Lecture
Virakesari Former Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris stated that federalism is not secessionism but a broad political philosophy, noting that its origins in Sri Lanka were initially linked to the aspirations of the Kandyan Sinhala community rather than Tamil demands. Delivering a memorial lecture for the 49th remembrance of S.J.V. Chelvanayakam at the Jaffna Central College on Sunday (26th), Peiris highlighted that the establishment of the ITAK (Federal Party) on December 18, 1949, was a milestone in Chelvanayakam’s unwavering commitment to federal principles. He expressed regret that a comprehensive draft for a federal constitution he presented during President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s tenure was thwarted by the LTTE’s opposition, which culminated in the brutal assassination of Neelan Tiruchelvam. Peiris emphasised that understanding the historical context of federalism is essential to addressing the long-standing political aspirations within the country. |
People protest in front of the Myliddy army camp, demanding the release of their landsThinakkural
Landowners in Valikamam staged a protest in front of the Myliddy military camp last Saturday (25th), demanding the release of their lands held by the military since 1990. NPP MP K. Ilankumaran visited the site to discuss the grievances of the residents, who noted that they were displaced over three decades ago when the military took over the area. The MP stated that the government has already instructed the relevant authorities to release lands deemed non-essential for national security in a phased and transparent manner. He emphasised that while the government is committed to returning the land to its rightful owners, residents must also provide proper documentation to ensure a permanent legal resolution for the land disputes. The MP further assured the protesters that he would engage with government officials to expedite the process for those with valid ownership documents. |
Let us unite to exert pressure to conduct the Provincial Council elections; Tamil party representatives reach an agreement during a meeting with Prof. Peiris
Virakesari Former Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris met with representatives of the ITAK and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) on Saturday (25th) to discuss joint efforts to expedite the provincial council elections. During a meeting held at M.A. Sumanthiran’s residence in Jaffna, the parties noted that the NPP government has failed to fulfil its promise of holding the elections within a year of assuming power. The representatives emphasised the necessity of functional provincial councils under the 13th Amendment and agreed to coordinate pressure on the government alongside southern political entities. They further discussed aligning their efforts with the National Movement for Social Justice, led by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, to create a unified front for this cause. |
High-level talks with Norway to utilise modern technologies in the fishing industry; a team led by Minister Chandrasekar holds discussionsThinakaran Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar led a delegation to Oslo, Norway, to discuss modernising Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector through advanced technology and knowledge exchange. The discussions, held with senior officials from the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, focused on implementing satellite-based tracking systems to monitor fishing vessels and prevent illegal incursions. Minister Chandrasekar also met with Gunnar Stølsvik, the head of Norway’s Blue Justice initiative, to explore the possibility of obtaining technological equipment and training for local fishers. Additionally, the delegation engaged with the Global Action Network for Sustainable Food Security to discuss improving the nutritional value and quality of fish products. Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Dr B.K. Kolita Kamal Jinadasa and Director General of Fisheries S.J. Kahawatta also participated in the meetings. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
The cyber crime at the Ministry of Finance: Statements from 15 officials recorded; the money has gone to two countries; the findings to be presented in court tomorrow
Dinamina
The CID has revealed through its investigations how a computer hacker stole USD 2.5 million paid by the Treasury to an Australian company as the settlement for a loan. It has been uncovered that the computer hacker had hacked the emails used for the relevant message exchanges at the newly established State Debt Management Office for some time. After observing how transactions were conducted over a period of time, the hacker subtly caused the debt installments to be credited to two accounts belonging to two countries.
The CID has questioned and recorded statements from around 15 Treasury and Ministry of Finance officials regarding the incident. Police information states that the details uncovered by the CID so far are most likely scheduled to be reported to the court tomorrow (28th).
Retrieving the USD 2.5 million is a challenge; only on rare occasions has money been recovered – The SLCERTAruna Lead Information Security Engineer of the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) Charuka Damunupola stated that recovering the USD 2.5 million that went missing from the Treasury is a challenging task. Damunupola added that this money has been directed to a certain party via the internet and that conducting investigations through the relevant international banks to find the account to which the amount was credited is a lengthy process. He further stated that the support of every relevant sector must be obtained for the process and that it will take a significant amount of time. Damunupola points out that even if the account to which the USD 2.5 million was credited is identified during these investigations, it must be proven whether that money belongs to the Treasury. |
The “Walk for Peace” will begin in Yakkala today to reach Kelaniya: The walk ends tomorrowDivaina, Dinamina The “Ehipassiko” Walk for Peace, led by Ven. Pannyakara Thera and 13 members of the Maha Sangha to spread the message of peace is scheduled to travel from the Yakkala Abeysekararamaya to the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya today (27th). Following a discussion with students at the Kelaniya Viharaya, the march will proceed to Independence Square tomorrow (28th) for a state ceremony attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at 4.00 pm. During the event, President Dissanayake is scheduled to officially present a sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to Ven. Pannyakara Thera and the delegation. The walk will resume at 5.30 pm and is set to conclude at the Gangaramaya Temple by 7.00 pm. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Newswire
22 monks arrested with narcotics worth Rs. 1.1 billion: “Anti-religious imposters in robes will be expelled from the Sasana (the order of the Buddhist monks)” – A statement from the mahanayake theras of the three nikayas
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
22 Buddhist monks were arrested at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with 111 kg of narcotics valued at over Rs. 1.1 billion, marking the first instance where such a large group of monks was apprehended with a significant haul.
Investigations revealed that 12 monks had been previously taken to Thailand to transport drugs. The monk who organised the trip and provided air tickets and accommodation to the 22 monks was apprehended after having fled from Kadawatha to another temple. A Piriven instructor was also among those arrested. The suspects have been placed under seven-day detention orders.
In response, the mahanayke theras of the three nikayas issued a statement strongly condemning the anti-Sasana and unlawful actions carried out by the group, and announced that the “anti-religious imposters” would be expelled from the Sasana.
A land dispute with women: MP Archchuna appears with a gun!
Lankadeepa, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
A woman who allegedly struck Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna with a stone has been arrested by the Ilavalai Police. The police state that the MP has been hospitalised for treatment.
The police further stated that the confrontation occurred when the MP’s ownership of a land in the area was challenged by a group of women claiming a portion of the property. Despite the women being unarmed, the MP allegedly drew his weapon to intimidate them, sparking public concern over the government’s decision to issue him a firearm.
Following the incident, Archchuna filed a complaint at the Ilavalai Police Station, leading to the arrest of one of the women. The woman was produced before the Mallakam Magistrate yesterday (26th) and has been remanded until April 29. No legal action has been taken against the MP so far.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Trump’s life saved in time! Chaos at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. A file related to French loans also missing from the Treasury: Suspicions as to whether the hackers are involved – Lankadeepa, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Coal brought in through two other shipments also found to be substandard: Lab tests confirm – Lankadeepa, Thinakkural
4. “Need a parliamentary working committee to look into the scam” – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa | “The Treasury secretary must resign” – Opposition Leader Sajith insists – Aruna, Thinakkural
[/paywall]