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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: This is the best opportunity to call for an international investigation; the UN must propose a strong justice mechanism; diaspora Tamil organisations stress this point in light of the new developments in the Chemmani case | GPR scanning commences at the Chemmani mass grave site Thinakaran: “Greetings to the people of Tamil Eelam” – A live video from the parliament; MP Archchuna leaves after giving a statement at the CID inquiry over the use of the word “Tamil Eelam” | The recommendations from the study group on the Anti-Terrorism Bill have been submitted for public consultation |
Thinakkural: “Do not allow a domestic investigation; avoid giving time and space to the Sri Lankan government; it is time to file an international case” – Tamil parties send a letter to the UNHRC | “Arrangements made to provide security to Somaratne Rajapakse” – The Human Rights Commission [informs] in Jaffna Thamilan: The Supreme Court rejects petitions demanding the cancellation of Indo-Lanka MoUs |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: 2,000 vehicles have been in the port for two months: No space for new vehicle consignments at the Colombo and Hambantota ports; hundreds of thousands of delayed payments to be made to the Chinese government Divaina: Kehelbaddara Padme growls at the CI of the Peliyagoda crimes division: “Keep a death certificate ready” – Kehelbaddara Padme; “We are not afraid of the death warrant, don’t hide, come face to face” – Chief Inspector Linton Silva Ada: The proposal to dismiss Deshabandu from the post of IGP to be passed today |
Mawbima: The OIC of the crimes division receives death threats from Kehelbaddara Padme: “Come to Sri Lanka if you are such a gangster” – The OIC retorts | The PUCSL to hold a public hearing today concerning the ‘monkey -attack’ that caused a nation-wide power outage | The petition of the solar power producers: The AG agrees to issue cabinet documents Dinamina: Petitions calling for the cancellation of the Indo-Lanka agreements, dismissed | Overseas trips worth Rs. 530 million: The CID questions Ranil’s private secretary, Sandra Aruna: Rs. 2.6 million requested to provide a train for the Madhu festival: “This has not happened before” – The Catholic community Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: WSWS
Human rights commissioners visit Chemmani
Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural
Commissioners from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) have announced that the commission will take measures to provide protection for the witnesses connected to the Chemmani mass graves. The announcement came after commissioners Dr. Gehan Dinuk Gunatilleke, Prof. Fathima Farzana Haniffa and Prof. Thaiyamuthu Thanaraj visited the excavation site on Monday (4th). Responding to media questions, the commissioners stated that if Somaratna Rajapakse, a prisoner who offered to testify, files a complaint regarding threats to his safety in prison, the commission will certainly take action to protect him. The commissioners also revealed that steps have been taken to upload the HRCSL’s 2003 report on disappearances in Jaffna during the 1996-1997 period to the commission’s official website. Thamilan reports only that the commissioners visited Chemmani.
“Propose an international mechanism regarding mass graves” – Political parties and CSOs urge in a joint letter sent to the UN high commissioner for human rights
Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural In a joint letter to the UN high commissioner for human rights and UNHRC member states, Tamil political parties and civil society organisations (CSOs) from the North and East have called for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Writing ahead of the 60th UNHRC session, the signatories urged for a resolution acknowledging the lack of progress in accountability over the 16 years since the war ended and rejected any domestic accountability mechanisms. They also demanded international monitoring and technical assistance for the ongoing Chemmani mass grave excavations to ensure adherence to international standards. The letter further stressed that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) must prioritise establishing an international mechanism to re-identify and monitor all mass graves in the North and East. |
“We will never allow the implementation of the wind farm project that will harm the people of Mannar” – MP Ravikaran
Thinakkural, Thamilan Speaking at a protest in Mannar on Monday (4th), ITAK MP T. Ravikaran stated that they would never allow the implementation of the proposed winf farm project, which he claims is detrimental to the people of Mannar. He accused the government of proceeding with the project against the will of the people, and despite previous assurances given at development committee meetings that their consent would be required. Ravikaran pledged to raise the issue in parliament and to work alongside the public to voice their opposition. He warned that such projects plunder local resources, comparing it to the mineral sand mining in Kokkilai which, he stated, resulted in severe sea erosion. |
GPR scanning at the Chemmani mass grave site | Five new skeletons identified
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scanning commenced at the Chemmani mass grave site on Monday (4th) to determine if additional graves exist in the area beyond the two currently being excavated. The Faculty of Technology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura is providing technical assistance and equipment for this key activity. The scan is being facilitated through the University of Jaffna, as permission has not been granted by the Ministry of Defence for a broader GPR survey. Virakesari and Thinakkural report that five new skeletons were identified at the site yesterday (4th). Accordingly, 135 skeletons have been identified to date, and 126 of them have been fully exhumed.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Lanka Real News
OIC of the crimes division receives death threats from Kehelbaddara Padme: “Come to Sri Lanka if you are such a gangster” – The OIC retorts
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
A special investigation has been launched into a death threat allegedly made under the name of underworld figure Mandinu Padmasiri Perera alias Kehelbaddara Padme to Chief Inspector (CI) Linton Silva, the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Western Province (North) Crimes Division. The threat was reportedly issued via a phone call following a raid on a hotel said to be owned by Mandinu Padmasiri Perera, who is currently residing overseas. Heroin and several sharp weapons were discovered during the raid. The newspapers report that when the death threats were made, CI Linton Silva retorted that the police were not afraid and asked Perera to take them on face-to-face.
“Will go to court against NPP salaries being sent to a party account” – Shiral Lakthilaka
Ada, Aruna Attorney Shiral Lakthilaka stated that monthly salaries of NPP MPs amounting to Rs. 47.7 million are being sent to their party account every month. Lakthilaka added that he expects to take legal action in the future regarding this matter. He further stated that the monthly salaries of 159 MPs are being credited to an account at the Pelawatta office, amounting to Rs. 572.4 million annually. |
3,504 who deserted the tri-forces, arrested
Ada, Dinamina Director of Media and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence Brigadier Franklin Joseph stated that 3,504 soldiers of the tri-forces who were on leave but did not report back to service have been taken into custody within the four-month period from February 22 to the day before yesterday (3rd). Joseph added that if the soldiers who failed to report back to duty after obtaining leave hand themselves over to the tri-forces, consideration will be given to reinstating them. He further stated that action is also being taken to dismiss those taken into custody. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: ONLANKA
Misappropriation of funds for overseas tour: Ranil’s private secretary questioned by the CID for over six hours; former presidential secretary to be summoned today
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural
The private secretary to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sandra Perera, was extensively questioned and had her statements recorded by the CID yesterday (4th). The questioning relates to an investigation under the Public Property Act concerning a trip to the UK made during Wickremesinghe’s tenure as president. The CID is also preparing to question former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake in connection with this matter. He has been informed to appear before the CID today (5th).
Two petitions calling to nullify seven Indo-Sri Lanka agreements, dismissed
Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (4th) dismissed two Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed requesting an order to nullify seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the governments of Sri Lanka and India, without taking them up for inquiry. The two-judge bench comprising SC Judges Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Pranandu issued the order after considering detailed submissions on the FR petitions. The petitions were filed before the SC by a group including Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara and the Vinivida Front.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The debate to dismiss Deshabandu to be held today – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. The CID takes a statement from Archchuna about the “Tamil Eelam” [statement in parliament] – Lankadeepa, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. The case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest to be taken up on October 29 – Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakaran
4. “Hold the provincial council election” – Dayasiri Jayasekara challenges the government – Aruna, Virakesari, Thamilan
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