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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Tamil leaders slam Anura’s government over new Anti-Terrorism Law, accuse it of attempting to suppress dissent | Local officer of Indian Consulate dies in Omanthai car crash; Wife, son, and father-in-law critically injured | “We will take over the Colombo Municipal Council with the support of the opposition” – MP Mujibur Rahman | Sudden sick leave by railway engine drivers disrupts train services | Tamil National Council unanimously pledges support to Tamil parties with highest votes | New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister meets President Anura Thinakaran: Malini Fonseka’s body cremated amidst tributes | Government seeks new investors to take over management of Mattala International Airport | Prof. Junaideen appointed as the new VC of South Eastern university | New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister meets Foreign Minister to boost trade relations | Officials conduct raids during special mosquito eradication week: Over 128,000 inspections, red alerts for nearly 4,000 sites, legal action taken in 1,470 locations | No talks to make Athaullah as chief ministerial candidate, secretary Nizam Kariapper vehemently denies |
Thinakkural: “Killings of ordinary people have become normal; Sri Lanka is ruled by underworld groups and is in their grip,” – Wimal Weerawansa | If MPs demand security, government should provide; MP Archuna requests gun | LG Polls: deadline to submit campaign finance reports ends at midnight today | Dengue risk in 15 districts; red alert issued for 4,000 locations | Ugandhai Malai and Sannyasi Malai Temples at risk of being taken over | “Sajith’s selfishness overrides party interests,” – Roshan Ranasinghe Thamilan: Racially biased government! Karuna Amman openly criticises NPP rule, insists on need for Tamil Chief Minister in East | Mervyn-Prasanna further remanded | Tamil National Council unanimously resolves to support Tamil national parties with most votes | Electricity (Amendment) Act submitted to Parliament | No discussions to nominate Athaullah as chief ministerial candidate, confirms Secretary Nizam Kariapper | 225 tea factories closed in five months, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority chairman reveals |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Loss of Rs. 8 million incurred by [merely nominally] appointing 15 employees: “it was Keheliya’s daughter that withdrew money from the account” – CIABOC informs court quoting coordinating secretary | Pictorial: Funeral of Veteran Actor Malini Fonseka: A once-overflowing stream has dried up today | A massive flood of people gather to bid farewell to Malini Fonseka Divaina: “The seat left empty by Malini will remain a permanent void, her contribution cannot be diminished in the slightest. We pay our respects to her” – Premier states while delivering the president’s message during the funeral Ada: 2,000 doctors have left the country within two years – GMOA |
Mawbima: “An explanation demanded from drivers who went on leave for Rs. 50” – Deputy Transport Minister; “two train rounds are cancelled if one driver goes on leave” – Drivers | Malini, may you forever shine among us as a star Dinamina: Using Sathosa staff members for political work: case against Johnston Fernando to be taken up on June 4 | Pictorial: Funeral of Veteran Actor Malini Fonseka: Queen of Sinhala Cinema, may you depart in peace Aruna: The end of an era: “If Malini was born in India, she would have received more respect and honour” – Ravindra Randeniya Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Local official of Indian Consulate in Jaffna dies in road accident in Omanthai; Family critically injured and hospitalised
Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
An officer attached to the Consulate General of India in Jaffna has died following a tragic road accident in Omanthai, Vavuniya, yesterday morning (26), according to Omanthai Police.
The car he was travelling in, en route from Colombo to Jaffna, collided with a tipper truck heading in the opposite direction.
The deceased has been identified as a 52-year-old employee of the Indian Consulate.
His wife, son, and father-in-law, who sustained serious injuries in the accident, have been admitted to the District General Hospital in Vavuniya for treatment.
Omanthai Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.
New Zealand Deputy PM meets Sri Lankan President and Foreign Minister to discuss strengthening trade and regional economic cooperationVirakesari, Thinakaran New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters visited Sri Lanka, meeting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath. This was the highest-level visit since New Zealand opened its mission in Colombo in 2021, followed by Sri Lanka’s High Commission opening in Wellington. The talks focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, education, tourism, sports, and security. Both countries agreed to deepen ties and build a dynamic partnership. A formal Trade and Economic Dialogue was proposed to boost economic collaboration. Discussions emphasised expanding market access for Sri Lankan products, especially dairy, processed foods, and fresh produce. New Zealand’s support for Sri Lanka’s dairy sector through the Dairy Excellence Training Initiative (DETI) was praised. Education ties were also strengthened, with over 1,200 Sri Lankan students in New Zealand and plans for more vocational training. Security cooperation was highlighted amid regional challenges, with commitments to work closely on immigration, customs, police, and defence. Sri Lanka’s application to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was welcomed. New Zealand will offer trade policy training under its Manaaki Scholarship Programme. The two countries also celebrated shared sports ties, promoting exchanges in cricket and rugby. |
No discussions to nominate Athaullah as chief ministerial candidate, confirms Secretary Nizam Kariapper
Thinakaran, Thamilan The Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and MP, President’s Counsel Nizam Kariapper, has dismissed recent media reports claiming that the SLMC has decided to support National Congress leader A.L.M. Athaullah as the chief ministerial candidate for the Eastern Province in the upcoming Provincial Council Elections. He clarified that while the SLMC did engage in discussions with former Digamadulla District MPs A.L.M. Athaullah and S.M.M. Muszhaaraff, the discussions were limited to general matters, including the formation of local government bodies and fostering unity among Muslim political parties and key community figures. Kariapper firmly stated that no agreement was reached, nor was there any discussion during these meetings about endorsing Athaullah as the SLMC’s chief ministerial candidate for the Eastern Province. He reiterated that the media reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate and misleading. |
Tamil National Council unanimously resolves to support Tamil national parties with the highest votes
Virakesari, Thamilan
The Tamil National Council (TNC) has announced its decision to support Tamil national parties that secured the most seats or votes in the recent Local Government Elections across the Tamil homeland.
This includes backing those parties in the elections for Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Speaker in relevant councils, and refraining from contesting these posts where another Tamil party holds a clear or equal majority.
This decision was unanimously agreed upon at a meeting held on May 25 at the YMCA Hall in Jaffna, attended by TNC leaders and members elected under the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) symbol.
The move reflects the people’s electoral mandate and the need for effective Tamil-led governance.
The TNC also stated it will contest for the Deputy Speaker post in councils where it ranks second, while supporting other Tamil parties with the second-highest vote share elsewhere.
The Council emphasised it will not support Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist parties or their allies under any circumstances and expressed hope that this policy will foster unity among Tamil parties and enable stable governance.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
Loss of Rs. 8 million incurred by [merely nominally] appointing 15 employees: “It was Keheliya’s daughter that withdrew money from the account” – CIABOC informs court quoting coordinating secretary
Lankadeepa, Ada, Dinamina
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed the court that Nishantha Bandara Basnayake, the former coordinating secretary to Keheliya Rambukwella, has been arrested in connection with an alleged financial misconduct that took place during the period 2021 to 2023, when Keheliya Rambukwella served as the Minister of Mass Media, Health, and Environment.
According to CIABOC, 15 individuals were recruited to the personal staff of the minister during this time. It is alleged that the salaries and overtime payments made to these individuals were misused for personal expenses and political activities.
The misappropriation is reported to have caused a financial loss of over Rs. 8 million to the government. CIABOC is continuing investigations into the matter.
Former coordinating secretary to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella Nishantha Bandara Basnayake, informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday (26th) that all funds deposited into his bank account were collected by Amali Rambukwella, the minister’s daughter.
Basnayake further stated that although the bank account was in his name, all related documents, including the passbook, were held by Amali Rambukwella.
This statement was presented in court by CIABOC during Basnayake’s appearance.
CIABOC continues its investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds.
“I do not want to take on the SJB chairperson position again” – Imthiaz Bakeer Markar
Dinamina Former MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has once again declined a request to reassume the position of Chairperson of the SJB. A group of party activists reportedly visited his residence recently, urging him to retake the chairmanship. However, Bakeer Markar reiterated that there is no change in his earlier decision regarding the matter. He had officially stepped down from the SJB and its chairmanship in March this year. |
Using Sathosa staff members for political work: case against Johnston Fernando to be taken up on June 4
Dinamina The Colombo High Court, yesterday (26th), heard witness testimony in the case filed against former Minister of Trade Johnston Fernando and two others, over allegations of misusing employees of Lanka Sathosa for political and personal activities. The charges claim that Sathosa employees were deployed for non-official, political, and private purposes, resulting in financial losses to the government. The case was heard before High Court Judge Adithya Patabendi, with witness examination taking place during the session. The trial is scheduled to resume on June 4. |
Three, including the mastermind behind stealing Halloluwa’s file, remanded
Divaina
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Three suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting at the vehicle of former Director General of Public Relations to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Thusitha Halloluwa. The arrests were made by officers from the Colombo Crimes Division. The incident occurred on the night of May 17 in front of a private hospital in Narahenpita, where the car of Thusitha Halloluwa — who also previously served as Acting Director of the National Lotteries Board — was shot at. During the incident, an important file belonging to Halloluwa was reportedly taken by the individuals involved. |
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COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“The seat left empty by Malini will remain a permanent void, her contribution cannot be diminished in the slightest. We pay our respects to her” – President | A massive flood of people gather to bid farewell to Malini Fonseka
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
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“It was Mahindananda that pressured the fertiliser committee secretary” – CIABOC tells court | Travel ban imposed: Mahindananda granted bail
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who was arrested and remanded in connection with the case filed over the importation of substandard organic fertiliser from a Chinese company during the previous administration, was granted bail yesterday (26th).
The order was issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate after considering facts presented by the prosecution and the defence during the hearing.
Accordingly, Aluthgamage has been ordered to be released on a Rs. 50,000 cash bail and five surety bails amounting to Rs. 1 million each. Additionally, an international travel ban was also imposed on Aluthgamage while his passport was impounded.
The ruling was given following statements provided by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) stating that Aluthgamage was responsible for pressuring the fertiliser committee secretary to release letters of credit concerning the Chinese fertiliser consignment.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Mervyn Silva and Prasanna Ranaweera further remanded – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thamilan
2. Mosquito breeding sites reported in 30,000 places in 15 districts: red notices issued for 3,916 – Lankdeepa, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
3. “Time allowed till midnight today for candidates to submit expenditure reports of the LG election; the time will not be extended any further” – Election Commission – Dinamina, Thinakkural
4. Legal action to be taken against those sharing old news on social media – Police announcement – Ada, Virakesari
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