DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Allocation of Rs. 100 billion to provide relief for three months; President’s announcement. Assistance for fisherfolk, farmers, and Aswesuma beneficiaries | Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson arrested; remanded until April 17 | Sarath Kongahage and another individual arrested; remanded until April 17 Thinakaran: “Rs. 100 billion allocated to provide relief to the people” – President states in parliament | Pettah bus stand to be opened today |
Thinakkural: Rs. 100 billion to provide relief for those affected by the national crisis! Assistance will be provided for a period of three months – says the President | Great exploitation in fuel; is there a Rs. 165 tax per litre? | ‘Entire Iran will be destroyed tonight’; Attack on Kharg Island before the deadline | Permission denied to meet IMF; Sajith deeply frustrated Thamilan: Relief for the economic crisis; relief assistance for a period of 3 months! President Anura Kumara [Dissanayake] announces in the House; Special relief for fishing, agriculture, and small tea estates; Rs. 100 billion to provide relief for affected parties | Special transport services for the New Year |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Six employees of the Rupavahini Corporation have been taken for Keheliya Rambukwella’s work: Rs. 3.3 million paid for Defender at the house — CIABOC tells Court; Former Chair Kongahage and former Director General Devapriya remanded Divaina: President unveils in parliament a Rs. 100 billion three-month relief package for the public amidst crises
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Dinamina: President announces Rs. 100 billion relief package: Rs. 17,500 allowance increased to Rs. 25,000, Rs. 10,000 allowance increased to Rs. 15,000, additional crop subsidy Rs. 18,000, Rs. 5,000 allowance increased to Rs. 7,500 Aruna: Police prohibited from collecting contributions for New Year celebrations: do not accept gifts of thanks or vouchers; no New Year parties supported by shop-owners – IGP issues circular Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“Why is it impossible to conduct the election under the old system?” – Mano and Shanakiyan question during the special committee session
Virakesari
The parliamentary select committee to investigate and submit recommendations on the provincial council election system met yesterday (7th) at the parliament complex.
During the meeting, Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader Mano Ganesan, ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, and SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara jointly questioned if the elections could be held under the previous proportional representation system (old system) before discussing new electoral methods.
Ganesan emphasised that provincial councils are currently functioning without people’s representatives, causing numerous issues, and urged the committee to prioritise proposals for the old system to avoid further delays.
However, Committee Chairperson Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath and ruling party members asserted that legal complications must be resolved first, including amendments for women and youth representation.
Minister Herath affirmed the government’s commitment to resolving these legal hurdles quickly to facilitate the holding of elections.
“Solution soon for teacher shortage in the Northern Province” – Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya
Thinakaran Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya informed parliament yesterday (7th) that the government is implementing programmes to address teacher shortages in Northern Province schools. Responding to queries from Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna regarding Kilinochchi, the prime minister acknowledged that shortages are particularly severe in the Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya districts. She stated that measures are underway to recruit a group of teachers this year, with an examination scheduled for May, and graduates from colleges of education will also be integrated into the system. Highlighting a cultural tendency where teachers prefer postings in the Jaffna District, she emphasised that transfers must follow established procedures rather than personal preference and urged teachers to accept placements where vacancies exist. |
“This government will not solve the ethnic problem either; karma will not leave you” – Shritharan MPThinakkural
ITAK MP S. Shritharan stated in parliament yesterday (7th) that the government has shown no intent to resolve the ethnic issue and that Tamil university students and officials have faced various hardships since the NPP took office. He noted that on March 16, three Jaffna University students were subjected to severe interrogation by the District Crime Prevention Bureau, which he claimed restricts their freedom to express ethnic policies and rights. Shritharan also highlighted that J. Thayaparan, an administrative officer for the Kilinochchi branch of the ITAK, has been summoned by the Counter Terrorism Investigation Division in Colombo and faces frequent harassment from the police and military. He asserted that the path to peace and reconciliation remains difficult and urged the government to understand the people’s sentiments to create a dignified country. |
“Immediately release the remaining 10 Tamil political prisoners” – 324 individuals, including organisations, trade unions, send a joint letter to the President
Virakesari
A group of 324 individuals, including religious leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and trade unionists, along with 41 civil society organisations and 23 trade unions, have collectively written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The letter urges the immediate and unconditional release of the remaining 10 Tamil political prisoners detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), some of whom have been in custody since August 2009.
The signatories, including activists Brito Fernando and Dr Mahendran Thiruvarangan, called on the government to fulfil its manifesto promises and facilitate reconciliation by reintegrating these individuals into society.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Audit report released: loss incurred due to substandard coal is Rs. 2.24 billion
Lankadeepa, Dinamina
The Auditor General’s report on the import of allegedly substandard coal was presented to parliament yesterday (7th).
Leader of the House Minister Bimal Rathnayake presented the report at the commencement of yesterday’s scheduled business in parliament.
Opposition MPs had also lodged a complaint with the Speaker, stating that this report had not been provided to them.
There, Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne stated that it is the responsibility of the Secretariat to provide the Auditor General’s report regarding the purchase of coal to the MPs.
The Speaker also stated that the Secretariat must take responsibility for it.
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“Prices of goods will not be increased during the festive season” – Minister Wasantha SamarasingheDinamina Samarasinghe, who further expressed his views, stated: “The Cabinet and the government have taken all necessary measures to face the situation when this Middle East war broke out. The government has stated that Rs. 500 billion will be spent outside the budget to provide relief to the people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The government revenue has made it possible to allocate up to Rs. 1,500 billion. Accordingly, there is the ability to provide relief to everyone.” |
The population [of Sri Lanka] has increased by 1.4 millionDinamina According to the 2024 Census Preliminary Report on Population of Sri Lanka, the new population of Sri Lanka has exceeded 21.7 million. The report containing the preliminary information of the 2024 Census of Population and Housing, conducted under the powers of the Census Ordinance, has been released. This report was presented by the Superintendent of Census to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: News.lk
President announces Rs. 100 billion relief package: Rs. 17,500 allowance increased to Rs. 25,000, Rs. 10,000 allowance increased to Rs. 15,000, additional crop subsidy of Rs. 18,000, Rs. 5,000 allowance increased to Rs. 7,500
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced in parliament yesterday (7th) that a Rs. 100 billion relief package will be introduced for a period of three months to provide relief to several local sectors affected by the prevailing war situation in the Middle East.
Stating that special attention was focused on fuel and energy, President Dissanayake stated that while adjustments based on fuel costs impact public life, a series of relief measures, including fuel subsidies and financial assistance, will be implemented to ease the burden placed on the people.
According to this subsidy package announced by Dissanayake in parliament, the government is scheduled to provide a subsidy of Rs. 100 per litre for diesel and Rs. 20 per litre for petrol for a period of three months starting from May. Accordingly, the government has allocated Rs. 60 billion for diesel and petrol subsidies.
Additionally, the fishing community will receive a monthly fuel allowance of Rs. 31,250 per standard boat and Rs. 150,000 for multi-day vessels. A bag of urea fertiliser is to be provided at a fixed price of Rs. 10,200. The government has accordingly allocated Rs. 1.7 billion for this purpose.
Fertiliser subsidy for paddy cultivation during the Yala season increased from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000. Fertiliser subsidy for additional crops increased from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 18,000.
Subsidy for electricity bills below 90 units – Rs. 5 billion per month allocated, totalling Rs. 15 billion over three months.
Aswesuma allowance increased in April; the Rs. 17,500 allowance increased to Rs. 25,000, the Rs. 10,000 allowance increased to Rs. 15,000 and the Rs. 5,000 allowance increased to Rs. 7,500.
The president added that these relief measures are not funded by printing money or obtaining loans, but by maintaining the economic stability that has been achieved.
Keheliya Rambukwella’s staff had been paid by the Rupavahini Corporation: Former Chair and Director General remanded
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari
Former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) Sarath Kongahage and former Director General of the SLRC Devapriya Abeysinghe, who were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), were remanded yesterday (7th).
The two individuals have been remanded until April 17.
Kongahage and Abeysinghe are accused of recruiting six employees outside the approved SLRC cadre and assigning them to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s personal staff, while being paid by the SLRC.
The CIABOC stated that this has reportedly cost a loss of Rs. 14.32 million to the government.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “14 million Iranians are ready to sacrifice their lives to protect the nation” – Iranian President – Lankadeepa, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. Heavy attack on Iran’s Kharg Island – Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
3. Renovated Pettah bus stand to be handed over to the public today – Divaina, Thinakaran
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