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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: The government acts contradictorily to the Election Commission’s announcement – SJB frustrated over the matter of the Colombo Municipal Council | Witnesses failed to identify the gunman in the Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder at an identification parade Thinakaran: “Special task force to combat ragging; mechanism to provide information” – PM informs parliament | “Grade Five Scholarship exam will not be canceled; an alternative plan to reduce pressure” – PM | “Working together is necessary not only in the economic but also in the political, social and cultural sectors” – President tells Treasury officials |
Thinakkural: “Who granted permission to open fire on the Kuchchaveli fisherfolk?; it needs to be considered as a racist act” – Imran Maharoof | Mullaitivu fisherfolk gather in front of the police station to protest against Chilaw fisherfolk | Navy opens fire on fisherfolk at Kuchchaveli; one injured and hospitalised Thamilan: “We will make the ruling party member wear jumpers (shorts worn by prisoners)” – Chamara Sampath tells parliament | Ministry takes action to amend circular on ragging |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: COVID face masks: Provincial council and Health Ministry at odds; wear them says Western Provincial Council in gazette, “No need”, says health secretary Divaina: To whom and to which party will the Colombo mayoral post go?: decision on the 16th; both sides say they’ll take control; a competition to win-over members; first meetings and leadership appointments also set for 20 other local government bodies Ada: Deliberate the court case against Ravi for the bond scam – SC invalidates Court of Appeal order that overturned High Court indictment | Three bank officials arrested for causing Rs. 100 million loss by pawning low-value gold items |
Mawbima: Health secretary removes the face masks imposed in Western Province: “COVID is now an ordinary illness with no serious threat, so the guidelines issued for government officers should be reconsidered” – Health secretary | Teacher who aided in abuse of her student and her husband who committed the abuse each sentenced to 45 years Dinamina: “Grades one to six curricula to be reformed next year; steps to be taken to reduce teaching and learning pressure; Grade Five Scholarship exam will not be abolished immediately”, says PM Aruna: Three bank officials arrested for Rs. 100 million fraud; low-value gold items pawned Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“Action will be taken to expedite investigation into Chemmani gravesite” – Harshana Nanayakkara | “If the government fails to allocate sufficient funds, we will get it from overseas” – Ponnambalam
Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Addressing parliament yesterday (4th), All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam raised the issue of insufficient funds for excavation of the recently identified gravesite at Chemmani in Jaffna where a number of human remains have been recovered. He requested the government to take steps to allocate sufficient funds for it, adding that if the government cannot make it happen, they would support to receive funds from abroad. Responding to Ponnambalam, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara stated that steps will be taken to speed up investigations into the matter and allocate necessary funds.
“Who granted permission to open fire on the Kuchchaveli fisherfolk?; it needs to be considered as a racist act” – Imran Maharoof | Minister calls for reportThinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan Thinakkural, Thamilan quote SJB MP Imran Maharoof questioning the government on who granted permission to the navy to open fire at the fisherfolk, adding that the fishing method of surukku valai (clap net) is permitted in areas such as Galle, Hambantota and Matara. He questioned as to why it is not permitted in the North and East, adding that it needs to be considered as a racist act. The MP has called for a proper investigation in this regard. Thinakaran reports Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar as saying that he has |
“We will make the ruling party member wear jumpers (shorts worn by prisoners)” – Chamara Sampath tells parliament
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan Addressing parliament yesterday (4th), New Democratic Front MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake claimed that the minister of justice has said that it is the NPP government that sent Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando to prison, adding that the minister has challenged the unanimous verdict of three judges in the case. He said that the minister has dishonoured the |
Ensure the dignity of the returnees – Canadian Tamil Congress points out to the president
Virakesari
The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) has written a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing its serious concern regarding the arrest and detention of a 75-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil refugee who returned from India on May 29, 2025, through Palaly Airport in Jaffna. The letter reads, ‘The incident is not only deeply troubling, but also inconsistent with your government’s publicly stated commitment to reconciliation and resettlement. Forcibly displaced individuals should not be criminalised for the circumstances under which they
fled, particularly when their return is in good faith and legally coordinated. If Sri Lankan law recognises the right of return for its citizens, including those who left due to conflict, then the government has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure their safe, dignified and unimpeded return.’
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Newsfirst.lk
World Environment Day national celebration
Dinamina, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Ada
The World Environment Day national festival is being held today (5th) in Kegalle under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Marking the final day of National Environment Week, today has been designated as Tree Planting Day. According to the Ministry of Environment, tree planting programs are taking place islandwide.
“We got USD 650 million in FDIs in the first quarter” – Handunnetti
Dinamina, Aruna Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti told parliament |
Rs. 132 billion in tax revenue from vehicle imports in first quarter
Aruna, Divaina, Ada Sri Lanka Customs reported Rs. 132 billion in tax revenue from vehicle imports between January and June 3, 2025 (Ada reports the amount as Rs. 136 billion). During a Committee on Public Finance meeting chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, officials said the government aims to generate Rs. 450 billion from vehicle imports this year, and expressed confidence in meeting this target. |
Use of the President’s Fund: CID questions Dayasiri and son
Dinamina
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The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) questioned SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara and his son in connection with the alleged misuse of funds from the President’s Fund yesterday (4th). Investigations revealed that Jayasekara had received Rs. 500,000 citing a medical condition, but only Rs. 350,000 was used for treatment. The remaining Rs. 150,000 was not returned as required. CID officials stated that Jayasekara’s son had obtained the funds on his father’s behalf, and was also questioned extensively regarding the matter.
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COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
“Grade Five Scholarship exam will not be abolished immediately; a taskforce to eliminate ragging” – PM
Dinamina, Aruna, Divaina, Ada, Lankadeepa, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
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To whom and to which party will the Colombo mayoral post go?; decision on the 16th
Dinamina, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The Colombo Municipal Council will hold its inaugural session on the 16th, with the mayor and deputy mayor to be elected amid a hung council. According to reports, as no party holds a majority, both the NPP and the SJB are engaged in efforts to secure control. Dates for the inaugural sessions of 20 other hung local councils in the Western Province have also been declared.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. SriLankan Airlines welcomes first new aircraft in eight years: Airbus A330-200 arrives from Paris – Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Ada, Virakesari, Thinakaran
2. COVID face masks: Provincial council and Health Ministry at odds; wear them says Western Province; “No need”, says health secretary – Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. Supplementary medical professionals launch strike – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Thinakkural
4. Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder: Suspected gunman not identified – Mawbima, Ada, Divaina, Virakesari
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