DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Attempting to gain a foothold in the North and East using the [Tamil] national leader; JVP members are the theoreticians who acted to destroy the liberation struggle” – MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam accuses in parliament | Photograph: Maaveerar Naal (Great Heroes’ Day) falls today Thinakaran: “Tamil MPs remain silent despite knowing who destroys marine resources” – Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar | “The progress of the cinema is healthy for spiritual growth” – The president | A helicopter service for patients on Delft Island to come to Jaffna | “The annual income of private tuition class operators is Rs. 16 billion; taxes must be imposed to control the education mafia” – Kabir Hashim |
Thinakkural: “This government is committing a great conspiracy to separate the Tamil people from India by claiming ‘diplomacy’ on the fishing issue” – MP Gajendrakumar accuses | Maaveerar (Great Heroes) to be commemorated today in the Tamil homeland despite heavy rain and strong winds; the flame to be lit at 6.07 PM Thamilan: “The Provincial Council Election to be held first; a new constitution after that!” – Tilvin Silva shares new information in London | “The God of the Tamil race is ‘Methagu’ (The Honourable)” – MP Ravikaran congratulates [the late LTTE Leader Prabhakaran] |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: “The demand for vehicles has decreased: The values of vehicles to also decrease; a reduction in the opening of LCs for vehicle imports” – CBSL Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe Divaina: Uditha [Lokubandara]’s pistol that was brought to the stage of the Nugegoda rally, hidden in a bag, has been confiscated; the law to be enforced against Uditha [Lokubandara] following investigations | Heavy rain and winds increase: The government allocates Rs. 1,500 million for disaster management Mawbima: Five fishing vessels belonging to Dehi Bale confiscated for being acquired illegally | The weather worsens: “Do not go to sea” – Warnings issued to the fisherfolk
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Dinamina: “Rs. 8.86 billion worth of assets belonging to drug traffickers, seized” – The DIG of the Police Narcotics Bureau Aruna: 59 reservoirs overflow: Flood risk for six districts surrounding seven river basins Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily FT
“JVP members were the theoreticians behind the destruction of the liberation struggle; they are now attempting to gain a foothold in the North and East today” – Severe criticism from MP Gajendrakumar
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
TNPF Leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam stated in parliament that the JVP, which acted as an ideological mentor for the destruction of the liberation struggle and genocide, is now attempting to establish itself in the North and East by speaking favourably of the [Tamil] national leader [late LTTE Leader Prabhakaran] and the Maaveerar (Great Heroes). He alleged that while the government portrays to the Tamil people that they will allow commemorations and release Maaveerar Thuyilum Illams (Great Heroes’ resting places/cemeteries), they express contradictory views in the South.
Virakesari: Responding to Ponnambalam, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that although they [the JVP] fought with weapons twice, they did not act against the Tamil and Muslim people living in the country. He claimed that this is why the Tamil and Muslim people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces have supported the NPP, and added that Ponnambalam’s racist politics have failed.
“Tamil MPs remain silent despite knowing who destroys marine resources” – Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar | “The Northern sea continues to be exploited” – RavikaranThinakaran, Thinakkural Thinakaran: Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that he is aware why Tamil MPs remain silent regarding the destruction of marine resources in the North, despite knowing the perpetrators. Responding to ITAK MP Thurairasa Ravikaran during the budget debate, the minister noted that Tamil MPs do not raise their voices adequately against encroachment by Tamil Nadu fisherfolk and the use of bottom trawlers. He claimed that the MPs are well aware of those responsible for these illegal fishing methods, and added that he did not wish to reveal their names himself. Consequently, the minister requested the MPs to support the measures being taken to control these illegal activities. Thinakkural highlights, quoting Ravikaran, that the Northern sea, which is the livelihood of the Northern fisherfolk, continues to be exploited due to encroachment by Indian fisherfolk and the aggressive actions of illegal fishers. He added that the Northern sea is not an unregulated, open-access zone that everyone can come and exploit in this manner |
ITAK decides to call for a vote (on the budget allocation)
Virakesari ITAK MPs have decided to record their strong objection to the budget allocation for the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs during the debate scheduled for next Monday (December 1). Specifically, ITAK MP R. Shanakiyan will call for a vote on the allocation for the Department of Archaeology, which operates under this ministry, with the party planning to vote against it. This decision stems from continued reports of the department improperly acquiring private lands and Hindu worship sites in the North and East to erect Buddhist symbols in Tamil-majority areas. The party highlighted recent controversies, including the installation of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee and issues regarding signboards in the Valaichchenai Pradeshiya Sabha area, as reasons for this move.
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“The Provincial Council Election to be held first; a new constitution after that!” – Tilvin Silva shares new information in London | A new system as an alternative to the provincial councils; Tilvin to visit India
Thinakkural, Thamilan
Thamilan: JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva stated that the Provincial Council Election will be held prior to the introduction of a new constitution.
Speaking at a meeting with the Sri Lankan diaspora in London, Silva explained that the election has been stalled at present due to the previous parliament’s rejection of the delimitation report, and the government is awaiting the advice of the attorney general on the next steps.
Addressing concerns regarding archaeological activities in Batticaloa and the Trincomalee Buddha statue, he assured that the government would not act against the aspirations of the minority communities that voted for them.
Thinakkural: Reports indicate that the NPP government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is considering abolishing the provincial council system and introducing a new mechanism to replace it. It was further reported that JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva is expected to visit India to discuss this matter.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Dehi Bale’s assets worth Rs. 250 million, frozen
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
The Illegal Assets Investigation Division took steps yesterday (26th) to freeze assets worth over Rs. 250 million belonging to a drug trafficker, known as Dehi Bale, who is currently residing overseas.
The assets frozen include five multi-day fishing vessels and a house situated on a land of 15.8 perches in Kapugama, Devinuwara. The assets were held in the names of Dehi Bale’s spouse, as well his spouse’s mother and sister.
The assets were seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and were frozen as the owners were unable to disclose how they were legally acquired.
“The demand for vehicles has decreased: The values of vehicles to also decrease” – CBSL Governor Nandalal WeerasingheLankadeepa, Aruna Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe announced at the Monetary Policy Review meeting yesterday (26th) that the accumulated demand for imported motor vehicles has now stabilised, leading to expectations that vehicle prices will continue to decline. Noting improving market conditions, Weerasinghe stated that in July, August and September, the demand for imported vehicles “shot up more than expected” as a higher number of Letters of Credit (LCs) were opened. However, the governor confirmed that the opening of LCs for vehicle imports has reduced over the last two months, with current indications showing a continuing decline in demand. |
“The support of the US Navy to curb drugs” – Julie ChungDinamina US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung stated that the US is ready to provide naval assistance for the current government’s drug prevention programme. The ambassador also mentioned that her government is prepared to provide the necessary support for the development of the Colombo Port, as well as for making the government’s digitalisation programme more efficient. Ambassador Julie Chung expressed these views yesterday (26th) when she met with Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka at the Ministry of Ports and Shipping. |
“Rs. 25.5 billion allocated for digitalisation” – Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne
Dinamina
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne stated in parliament yesterday (26th) that over Rs. 25.5 billion has been allocated directly and indirectly for the country’s digitalisation efforts.
Weeraratne further stated that the sixth chapter of the budget has been dedicated entirely to modernisation and digitalisation. He added that the first thing the current government did upon coming to power was to shift towards a digital economy, and cabinet approval has been received for this move.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Newswire
Heavy rains to continue until November 30: Red notices issued for Kandy and Nuwara Eliya
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Department of Meteorology announced that heavy rains and wind will continue until November 30 and has issued red notices for several areas of the country, including Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya.
Director General of the Department of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake urged the public to act with precaution in the face of the prevailing bad weather.
Newspapers further report that there will be 150mm – 200mm rainfall in several provinces, including the Central, Eastern and Uva Provinces.
The sluice gates of 51 reservoirs have been opened and red landslide warnings have been issued to seven divisional secretariat divisions.
Warnings against seafaring have also been issued to fisherfolk and the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN).
The newspapers also report that the government has allocated Rs. 1,500 million for disaster management.
The bond scam: “We have begun calculating the loss” | “The government is not exerting any influence on the bond scam case” – PM Harini Amarasuriya
Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated in parliament yesterday (26th) that the court process relating to the Central Bank bond scam is proceeding smoothly and that the government is not intervening or exerting any influence on the proceedings.
The prime minister added that by the time the current government came to power, the CID had already conducted investigations into the incident, the Attorney General’s Department had filed indictments, and a court process had been initiated. She added that there is no need to obstruct the judicial process that had already commenced.
Amarasuriya also explained that the loss incurred by the bond scam is being calculated as well. She made these statements while responding to a question raised by SJB MP Chaminda Wijesiri.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “Forex reserves have increased by USD 750 million” – CBSL Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Virakesari
2. An Indian air craft carrier arrives in Sri Lanka – Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakaran
3. 10 trains halted due to elephant troubles – Aruna, Thinakkural
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