DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Mannar paralysed due to shutdown; large crowds join protest march strongly opposing the wind power project; petition handed over to the President | “Police attacked the public to get transferred” – Wasantha Mudalige states in Mannar Thinakaran: Japan assures to restart 11 abandoned projects; Japanese Prime Minister at meeting with the President | “Equal opportunities for all communities to prevent another war; diplomatic relations are what will develop the country” – President | “The police officer who provided information to ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ will be arrested” – IGP |
Thinakkural: Protest demanding immediate halt to the wind power project; Mannar District completely paralysed! Thousands of people gathered; all activities came to a standstill Thamilan: Shutdown in Mannar! Public gathering against wind power project and police attacks | Arrested Archchuna [MP] released on bail |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: 47 babies in prisons with their mothers within the first nine months of this year: 20 boys and 27 girls Divaina: Manamperi has transported Padme’s weapons from Mathugama for the murders committed in the South: ‘Kajja’ and the two children were murdered with a T56 that was transported in that manner Mawbima: “Tell us the steps to be taken against students with earrings and long hair” – Principals request circular following amendments to the Penal Code | Individual that transports weapons caught with 30 number plates in Rukmale Road: suspect also had 500 rounds of ammunition in his possession |
Dinamina: The Kashmir crisis comes to the cricket field: India celebrates victory without trophy; politics enters the gentleman’s game: local and foreign critics express displeasure | Japan’s support for many development projects in Sri Lanka: contribution to debt restructuring appreciated Aruna: Mawanella landslide victims all reported dead: individual who went to drink water narrowly escapes Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
Two injured in a blast in Kilinochchi
Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakaran
Two individuals were seriously injured after a bomb exploded in the Thattuvankotti area of Kilinochchi at around 11:30 a.m. yesterday (29th).
The explosion reportedly occurred when the two men, aged 20 and 50, attempted to remove an unexploded ordnance from a deserted house.
The injured, residents of Kachchai and Kodikamam, have been admitted to the intensive care unit of the Kilinochchi Hospital.
The Kilinochchi Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.
“Why hasn’t Gota appeared in court?” – Lalith’s father questions
Thinakkural The sisters of Lalith Kumar Weeraraj, who was abducted and disappeared in Jaffna along with Kugan Muruganathan, visited the CID to provide a statement for the ongoing investigation. They were accompanied by their father, Arumugam Weeraraj, and the Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party, Pubudu Jayagoda. Speaking to the media, Arumugam Weeraraj noted that although the court had ordered former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appear in connection with the case, he has not yet done so. He added that his family is hopeful of receiving justice from the current government. |
“The new resolution is going to be very weak” – JothilingamThinakkural
Political analyst S.A. Jothilingam has stated that the upcoming report by key member states at the United Nations [UNHRC] is expected to further weaken the “already very, very weak existing resolution concerning Sri Lanka.” Speaking to the media during a protest by the families of the forcibly disappeared in Chemmani, he claimed that the Sri Lankan government is actively lobbying each member state to drop the resolution. Jothilingam asserted that Tamil politicians are not undertaking similar measures. He urged them to take the issue to the UN with a unified voice to register their opposition. |
“We too welcome the daily arrests” – Shanakiyan
Thinakaran
Speaking at a cultural and sports festival in Kottaikallar, Batticaloa, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said that he and the public are pleased with the daily arrests of criminals in the country.
He stated that his party played a significant role in exposing those who stole resources, continuously bringing attention to the illegal excavation of sand and corruption within the 100,000 jobs program.
Rasamanickam added that “some fools, who do not know how to handle decentralised funds, are making baseless accusations against the ITAK and its members.”
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Morning
University lecturers on strike today, demanding solutions
Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
The Secretary of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA), Senior Lecturer Charudaththe Illangasinghe, stated that they are engaging in a strike action today (30th) due to the government’s failure to resolve the existing problems within the university system.
Illangasinghe stated that although a year has passed since the government came into power, the crises in the state universities have not yet been resolved, and that state education is currently facing a serious crisis of collapse.
Illangasinghe further stated that the shortage of university lecturers is now at a serious level, and that approximately 200 lecturers have left Peradeniya University alone within the past year.
“20% of those who have been recruited to the police are drug addicts” – Minister of Public Security
Mawbima, Aruna Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala stated that 15-20% of the new recruits to the police were revealed to be addicted to drugs. He added that this year alone, 8 police officers have been suspended on drug-related allegations. The minister added, further commenting on the behaviour of police officers, that if a police division fails to conduct raids, police from another division will be deployed to carry out those raids. He added that after several raids are carried out in this manner, it will become clear whether the relevant Officer-in-Charge (OIC) should remain in that post. He made this statement on Sunday (28th) while attending a foundation stone-laying ceremony for a ‘Hela Bojun Hala’ (local food outlet) in the Monnekulama area, Nikaweratiya. |
“The likes of Semasinghe and Chandrasena, who were with ‘Uncle Basil’, have left the SLPP” – Thisakutti ArachchiDinaminaFormer SLPP MP Thisakutti Arachchi stated that the SLPP leaders in the Anuradhapura District, namely the Semasinghes and Chandrasenas, have abandoned both the SLPP and ‘Basil Bappa’ (Uncle Basil). Thisakutti Arachchi further stated that he was entrusted with the Anuradhapura District for the sake of the innocent people of the SLPP, having previously represented a Pradeshiya Sabha from Hambantota, the Provincial Council from Monaragala, and Parliament from Badulla. Therefore, the former MP asserted that he will fight alongside anyone in the party for the victory of the party. |
“Bring the politicians who are said to have connections with drugs and the underworld before the law” – SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna
Mawbima
SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna urged officials to take legal action against politicians who are said to be linked to drugs and the underworld.
He further stated that if the involvement of said former politicians did affect the increase of drug and underworld activity in the country, and if those individuals are still alive, they should be arrested immediately.
Speaking at a media briefing held in Colombo yesterday (29th), the MP stressed that there is no objection from the SJB to this move.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Lankaenews
MP Archchuna, who was arrested by the Fort Police, granted bail
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
In a legal development yesterday (29th), Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna, who had been taken into custody earlier, was granted bail by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.
MP Ramanathan Archchuna was produced in court yesterday (29th) and subsequently released on two sureties, each valued at Rs. 1 million.
The police stated that the Jaffna MP had been taken into custody under four specific charges.
The police also confirmed that MP Archchuna’s arrest was connected to the incident on 22 September.
This involved the allegation of disturbing Police duty by forcibly parking his vehicle in front of the Fort Railway Station during a protest on that date.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake meets the Japanese PM | Japan’s support for many development projects in Sri Lanka: contribution to debt restructuring appreciated
Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on an official visit to Japan, at the invitation of the Japanese Government, was welcomed yesterday (29th) with an official welcoming ceremony at the premises of the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office.
Upon arrival, the President was warmly received by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and a Guard of Honour was accorded to him by the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Following the introduction of the delegations of the two countries, official discussions commenced between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba stated that Sri Lanka’s stability and development within the Indian Ocean region is highly critical.
The Prime Minister of Japan made this statement while addressing a joint media briefing held at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office yesterday (29th).
Discussions focused on further strengthening the long-standing close friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka and expanding cooperation in various sectors, covering areas such as trade, investment, economy, development assistance, and regional security.
Furthermore, reflecting continued Official Development Assistance (ODA) between the two parties, Exchange of Notes were signed for the Project for the Enhancement of Productivity in the Dairy Sector and the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake thanked the Japanese government for its contribution toward the successful implementation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt restructuring programme as well.
Protest demanding immediate halt to the wind power project; Mannar District completely paralysed! Thousands of people gathered
Thinakkural, Thamilan, Virakesari, Aruna
A general shutdown was observed across Mannar yesterday (29th) to protest the ongoing wind power project, mineral sand mining, and a recent police assault on demonstrators.
The protest, organised by the Mannar Citizens’ Committee, was attended by thousands of people, including religious leaders and MPs Mano Ganesan, Kavinda Jayawardhana, Selvam Adaikkalanathan, and T. Ravikaran.
A protest rally proceeded to the Mannar District Secretariat, where a letter addressed to the president was handed over to the District Government Agent.
The protestors demanded an immediate halt to the construction of the wind towers and called for action against the police officers involved in the assault.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. A landslide in Mawanella takes the lives of three individuals: one saved miraculously – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. “It has been 13 years since Thajudeen was killed: no justice has been served although three governments have come to power since” – Thajudeen’s uncle states in Colombo – Dinamina, Thinakaran
3. “No government should be allowed to create an immoral culture in the country” – Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith – Aruna, Thinakaran, Virakesari
4. Manamperi has transported Padme’s weapons from Mathugama for the murders committed in the South: ‘Kajja’ and the two children were murdered with a T56 that was transported in that manner – Divaina, Thinakaran
5. “The government is trying to implement social distortions that aren’t even there in the US” – Wimal Weerawansa – Divaina, Thinakkural
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