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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Arrest warrant issued on Namal by Hambantota Magistrate’s Court | Anura and Namal flew together to the Maldives Thinakaran: Bunkers discovered at the home of Iniya Bharathi, who was arrested on charges of murder, robbery, kidnapping and extortion |
Thinakkural: “Mass graves near military camps existed in the Tamil homeland during the war! There is strong suspicion, and an inspection should be conducted” – Rev. Father Jagathas | Sumanthiran requests the government to allow international assistance for the investigation of the Chemmani mass grave Thamilan: Former Navy Commander, Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne arrested over the abduction and murder of a youth; remanded till tomorrow; shocking information revealed at CID investigation | 104 skeletons identified in 32 days at Chemmani | President receives warm welcome in the Maldives |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The Royal Park murder: red warrants issued for the arrest of Jude Shramantha, who fled the country | Former SDIG Priyantha Jayakody arrested | Warrants issued on Namal Rajapaksa for not appearing in court Divaina: The fatal accident near the Borella Cemetery: driver who had been under the influence of marijuana wreaks havoc while driving a crane-truck; nine vehicles hit; one motorcyclist dies; seven hospitalised; four in critical condition; owner of the crane-truck arrested | Former Navy Commander Ulugetenne remanded over incident of a youth being abducted | Hambantota court issues warrants on Namal Rajapaksa Ada: Former Navy Commander Ulugetenne, who was arrested by the CID over the disappearance of a youth remanded: an identification parade to be held tomorrow |
Mawbima: Former Navy Commander Ulugetenne remanded over abducting a youth in Pothuhera | Massive accident in Borella caused by a crane-truck driver who was under the influence of marijuana: severe damage caused to nine vehicles; one dead and six injured Dinamina: Former Navy Commander arrested by the CID on murder charges | Arrest Namal Rajapaksa immediately – Hambantota Court issues warrants | Acquiring assets worth Rs. 73.5 million: case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa to be called on September 22 Aruna: Warrants issued on Namal Rajapaksa for not appearing in court | Namal leaves for Malé on the same flight that the president left on Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
104 skeletons identified in 32 days at Chemmani
Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural
(A total of) 104 human skeletons have been identified at the Chemmani mass grave site in the Ariyalai area of Jaffna. 96 of them have been fully exhumed from the site to date.
Three new human skeletons were identified yesterday (28th), and 54 items of evidence have also been recovered.
Meanwhile, permission from the Ministry of Defence is expected to carry out the scanning process to identify remains in the area.
“Mass graves near military camps existed in the Tamil homeland during the war! There is strong suspicion, and an inspection should be conducted” – Rev. Father Jagathas
Thinakkural Speaking at a protest in Batticaloa yesterday (28th), Rev. Fr. Kandiah Jegathas called for international justice for the Chemmani mass grave and other alleged massacres in the North and East, stating their belief that domestic mechanisms will not provide justice. He asserted that areas surrounding major military camps in the Tamil homeland, where people were forcibly disappeared, should be excavated as they suspect large mass graves may be located there. |
Sumanthiran requests the government to allow international assistance for the investigation of the Chemmani mass grave
Thinakkural President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran has stated that reconciliation cannot be achieved by concealing the truth and has called on the government to uncover and reveal the facts regarding mass graves. After visiting the Chemmani mass grave excavation site yesterday (28th), Sumanthiran noted that skeletons of young people have been found and that similar mass graves have been identified in Kokkuthoduvai, Mannar, Matale, and the South. He highlighted that Sri Lanka lacks the necessary mechanisms for proper investigation and urged the government to obtain assistance from international experts. Sumanthiran called for the mass grave issue to be handed over to independent international experts to ensure the truth is revealed without interference, which he asserted is essential for genuine reconciliation. |
Bunkers discovered at the home of Iniya Bharathi, who was arrested on charges of murder, robbery, kidnapping and extortion
Thinakaran
The CID and police are conducting extensive searches of properties linked to former Eastern Provincial Council member K. Pushpakumar, also known as Iniya Bharathi, who remains in custody following his arrest.
A senior police official stated that former camps of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and cemeteries in the Ampara District have been searched over two days to gather key evidence for court proceedings.
Iniya Bharathi was arrested by the CID on July 6 in connection with long-term investigations into alleged murders, abductions, torture, and extortion in the Eastern Province between 2005 and 2008.
Following his arrest, his former driver, Senthuran, and an associate, former Thirukkovil Pradeshiya Sabha member C. Vigneswaran, were also taken into custody by the CID.
Based on subsequent interrogations, intelligence officers searched several locations, including Iniya Bharathi’s office and former TMVP camps in the Thambiluvil area and the Thirukkovil cemetery.
The authorities have discovered bunkers at Iniya Bharathi’s house.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
The Royal Park murder: red warrants issued for the arrest of Jude Shramantha, who fled the country
Lankadeepa, Ada, Dinamina
The Attorney General (AG) informed the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (28th) that red notices have now been issued for the arrest of Jude Shramantha Jayamaha.
Jayamaha fled the country after receiving a presidential pardon from former President Maithripala Sirisena in connection with the Royal Park murder incident. The pardon, granted despite his death sentence, sparked widespread public outcry.
This announcement was made by Additional Solicitor General Sajith Bandara, who appeared on behalf of the AG during a hearing before a Three-Judge Bench comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Arjuna Obeysekera, regarding a petition filed against the granting of the presidential pardon to Jayamaha.
Former SDIG Priyantha Jayakody arrested
Lankadeepa, Ada, Dinamina Former SDIG Priyantha Jayakody was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (28th). Jayakody has reportedly been arrested in connection with an incident of allegedly lodging a false complaint claiming that he has received death threats from notorious underworld figure Koralagamage Mandinu Padmasiri, alias ‘Kehelbaddara Padme.’ The arrested former Senior DIG is currently receiving treatment at the Ragama Hospital, under the custody of the CID, due to an illness. The print media further reports that officials of the CID have succeeded in identifying the individual who made threats while presenting himself as ‘Kehelbaddara Padme.’ During the investigation, it was revealed that the incident had occurred based on a script allegedly authored by retired SDIG Priyantha Jayakody. Further investigations revealed that the retired officer had staged this drama to regain police protection, which had previously been withdrawn. |
153,000 kg of milk powder (deemed) unsuitable for consumption found in Kerawalapitiya
Mawbima, Aruna The Consumer Affairs Authority has taken steps to submit a report to the Welisara Magistrate’s Court against a private warehouse in Kerawalapitiya, where a consignment of imported milk powder, deemed unsuitable for human consumption and valued at approximately Rs. 180 million, had been stored in preparation for release to the market. Based on a complaint received by the head office of the Consumer Affairs Authority, investigation officers of the Gampaha District Consumer Affairs Authority had inspected the said warehouse. |
“Import income of USD 8,337.86M during the first six months of 2025” – Chair of the SLEDB, Mangala Wijesinghe
Dinamina
The Chair of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB), stated that Sri Lanka’s total export earnings reached USD 8,337.86 million, showing notable progress in the first six months of 2025.
In a special statement yesterday (28th), he noted that this represents a 6.70% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The total export earnings, including both goods and services, reached USD 1,460.34 million in June 2025, which is an 8.73% growth compared to June 2024.
Data estimates for Sri Lanka Customs and electronic goods show that exports of goods alone grew by 6.85% in June 2025, reaching USD 1,150.73 million.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Arrest Namal Rajapaksa immediately – Hambantota Court issues warrants | Namal leaves for Malé on the same flight that the president left on
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Hambantota Magistrate’s Court, yesterday (28th), issued a warrant for the arrest of MP Namal Rajapaksa.
The warrant was issued after Rajapaksa failed to appear for a scheduled hearing at the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court.
The case that was listed for hearing proceeded in Rajapaksa’s absence, prompting the Magistrate to issue the warrant citing non-compliance with court summons.
Additionally, the print media highlighted that MP Rajapaksa had left for the Maldives yesterday (28th) on the same flight that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake traveled on to the Maldives for a state visit.
Former Navy Chief Ulugetenne remanded over abducting a youth in Pothuhera
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Former Navy Commander, Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, was arrested yesterday (28th) by a special police team of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with an investigation related to the abduction, unlawful detention, and disappearance of an individual.
He was arrested following questioning at the CID.
Following his arrest, he was produced before the Polgahawela Magistrate and remanded until July 30.
The CID states that this crime took place on or around July 26, 2010, during which Admiral Ulugetenne had been serving as the Head of the Naval Intelligence Unit.
Investigations conducted by the CID have revealed further that the illegal detention center where the individual was held operated under his authority and that the individual had been held there for several days.
This arrest is significant as it comes 15 years after the crime was committed.
The investigation into this matter was initiated following a complaint received by Police Headquarters.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. President receives warm welcome in the Maldives – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. Crane-truck collides with three cars and six bikes: one dead; six hospitalised – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
3. Using GovPay app to pay fines in the Western Province and on highways commences today – Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thamilan
4. Irregularities case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Achchi postponed to September 22 – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Thinakaran
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