DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: India provides Rs. 2,371 million financial assistance for Eastern Province development; Cabinet approves signing of 33 MoUs | Pictorial: While visiting India, Minister of Ports Anura Karunathilaka met with Indian Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for discussions Thinakaran: 33 development projects in the Eastern Province with Indian assistance | Both parties agree to commence the Rameswaram–Talaimannar ferry service |
Thinakkural: “Foreign mechanism is essential; the government knows nothing about the ethnic issue! It is impossible to expect a solution” – The Vicar General of Jaffna Methodist Church | “Decision made to return the copies of the Quran” – Minister Vijitha Herath Thamilan: School students addicted to drugs! A shocking revelation by Prison Commissioner Jagath — 230,982 affected in Colombo District alone | ‘Midigama Lasa’ murder: six suspects detained for 72 hours, three remanded |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: No cards: faulty machines: 1.5 million student IDs stuck; printing of 300,000 adult IDs concluded; plans to finish the 2006 ID cards within the year Divaina: CID investigations into SDIG for aiding mud-slinging against the police: voice recordings of discussions with YouTubers also released Mawbima: Four High Courts established in [former] ministers’ and MPs’ houses in Colombo 7 | Ranil to the dock again today
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Dinamina: MP Hizbullah hoodwinked by gold smugglers in Ghana: written promise had been made to give 50 kg of gold; USD 2 million swindled; 11 suspects arrested Aruna: Senior DIG has leaked secrets: information released to social media as well: complaint lodged by IGP Weerasooriya requesting investigation Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
School students addicted to drugs! A shocking revelation by Prison Commissioner Jagath — 230,982 affected in Colombo District alone
Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Commissioner of Prisons, Jagath Weerasinghe, announced that over 230,000 school students in the Colombo District alone are addicted to drugs, warning that this situation poses a serious threat to the country.
Speaking at an awareness program on drug eradication for school students, he also noted that the activities of underworld gangs are most prevalent in the Southern Province.
Weerasinghe highlighted that the Southern Province ranks first in underworld gang activities and that the majority of inmates in prisons today are youth.
Additionally, he shared that 42 children under the age of five are currently in prisons due to the offenses committed by their mothers.
“Foreign mechanism is essential; the government knows nothing about the ethnic issue! It is impossible to expect a solution” – The Archdeacon of Jaffna Methodist Church
Thinakkural Rev. S.D.P. Selvan, as the Archdeacon of Jaffna Methodist Church, emphasised that it’s “impossible to trust the current government, which hasn’t spoken a word about the ethnic conflict in the country, to provide a solution.” He urged that the public must make every effort to secure justice for the Chemmani massacre. During a symbolic protest organised by the Sri Lanka Methodist Church at Chemmani yesterday (28th) for justice for the massacre, he stated that the “Chemmani mass grave is evidence of genocide.” Rev. Selvan expressed a lack of faith in the government’s claim that all violations could be investigated through a domestic mechanism, further asserting that justice will only be achieved when appropriate individuals from abroad come and agree to participate in the investigations. He stressed that standing against this injustice is not just a social duty but also a religious duty and that “everyone must continue to speak out for justice for those affected and killed in the genocide.” Meanwhile, Hindu priest Velan Swamigal highlighted that, as the rainy season has begun, no tents or dams have been erected to prevent rainwater and flooding from entering the Chemmani human grave excavation site. |
“Ignoring past issues will lead to crises; the Prevention of Terrorism Act does not meet international standards,” says German Ambassador Felix Neumann
Virakesari
AGerman Ambassador to Sri Lanka Felix Neumann noted that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) does not meet international standards as it allows operational authority that is not under judicial control, apart from judicial procedures. He added that the PTA permits detention for up to 30 days without the judicial process of a judge reviewing evidence and signing a detention order, which is difficult to reconcile with international practices. The Ambassador welcomed the idea or plan to hold provincial elections next year, or even this year, expressing hope that Sri Lanka will find a fair balance of power for all segments of Sri Lankan society and all nationalities. He affirmed that Germany has not withdrawn from the co-sponsoring countries’ group at Geneva and remains actively engaged in maintaining the resolution with its partners. |
“33 development projects in the Eastern Province with Indian assistance
Thinakaran, Virakesari The government is set to undertake 33 development projects in the Eastern Province with assistance from India. Minister Vijitha Herath announced that the Cabinet had approved the Cabinet Paper seeking approval to obtain this Indian funding. These 33 projects will be implemented at a cost of Rs. 2.37 billion. An agreement regarding this will be signed by the Indian High Commissioner and the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government. The Minister further clarified that these projects will be implemented under the multi-sectoral sponsorship of India. India and Sri Lanka had already signed an agreement for this purpose on April 5, 2025. As the first phase of this aid, India has agreed to donate Rs. 371.83 million. The Minister also noted that India continues to provide assistance for infrastructure, social welfare, and rural development. |
“People should not be allowed to wear clothing that completely covers the face; the government should not bow to anyone” – Ven. Gnanasara TheraVirakesari
General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, asserted that “wearing clothing that completely covers the face can cause numerous problems” and stated that no one in Sri Lanka should be allowed to wear such attire in public places. He stressed that if permission is given, everyone must oppose it, and the government should not back down on this issue. Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, the Ven. Thera warned that the current issue also includes Muslim nurses in hospitals wearing cultural attire that fully covers the face. He cautioned that “if the Niqab is permitted now, it will lead to the allowance of the Burqa in the future.” |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ceylon Today
Allegations of slinging mud at the government: IGP to the CID against the SDIG
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has requested the National Police Commission (NPC) to transfer a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) holding a responsible high-ranking position at Police Headquarters and to conduct a disciplinary inquiry against him.
This request follows a revelation that the SDIG allegedly provided false information about the government, the IGP and other high-ranking officers in an attempt to sling mud at said parties.
According to police sources, the false information was spread to social media, and extremely confidential internal police files had also been leaked to external parties.
Furthermore, police sources confirmed that a complaint has also been filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the matter, and investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.
Investigations into questioning of the Weligama shooter on the road
Lankadeepa, Aruna Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Attorney-at-Law F.U. Wootler, stated that an investigation has been launched through the Special Investigations Unit into all officers who recorded the statement from the suspect believed to be the main shooter in the murder of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson. Information regarding the incident and the relevant statements had been disseminated on social media following his arrest. The Police Media Spokesperson also stated that presenting facts through the media, photographing, or video recording them is in no way acceptable when taking legal action in court. He said this while answering questions posed by journalists during the Cabinet media briefing held yesterday (28th) at the Department of Government Information. He added that an investigation is being conducted to determine whether an external party carried out the video recording or if it was video recorded by a police officer. |
“MP Jagath’s privileges have been violated by the IGP’s story” – Premadasa
Dinamina Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stated that “the citizen’s privileges as well as the parliamentary privileges of MP Jagath Vithana have been violated due to the statement that was made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).” Premadasa made the statement yesterday (28th). The Opposition Leader further stated that “certain comments made by the IGP regarding MP Vithana clearly indicate that some activities of the police have been severely politicised, that some investigations have been turned into political and media spectacles, and that the IGP has become a party to the government’s propaganda machinery.” |
“Only the IGP knows the reason behind the statement about Jagath Vithana” – Acting Cabinet Media Spokesperson
Aruna
Acting Cabinet Media Spokesperson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, stated that only the Inspector General of Police (IGP) knows about the statement he made regarding MP Jagath Vithana.
Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Attorney-at-Law F.U. Wootler, stated that arrangements have been made to obtain a threat assessment from all relevant institutions concerning the threats faced by MP Vithana.
The statements were made while answering questions posed by journalists during the Cabinet media briefing held yesterday (28th) at the Department of Government Information.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Four ministerial houses to be transformed into High Courts in Cinnamon Gardens
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The government has decided to establish four High Courts in the official residences previously used by former Opposition Leader and TNA MP R. Sampanthan, and former Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, Dilum Amunugama, and Sanath Nishantha.
The need to urgently establish several new High Courts has been identified to implement the tasks assigned to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration under the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (2025-2029).
Accordingly, arrangements have been made to allocate these four residences, which are controlled under the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, for that purpose.
Case pertaining to Ranil Wickremesinghe’s foreign tours, recalled today
Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe under the Public Property Act on charges of engaging in a private foreign tour using public funds amounting to Rs. 16.6 million, and who was arrested and released on bail, is scheduled to be recalled today (29th) in the Fort Magistrate’s Court.
Wickremesinghe was previously indicted in the Fort Magistrate’s Court on August 22 and remanded until August 27.
He was later released on bail after considering the facts presented regarding his medical condition.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha chairperson’s murder: three of the nine arrested remanded – Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. 8,547 new recruits to the government service – Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
3. MP Hizbullah hoodwinked by gold smugglers in Ghana: written promise had been made to give 50 kg of gold; USD 2 million swindled; 11 suspects arrested – Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
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