[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5196.5px” custom_margin=”||-277px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5208.5px” custom_margin=”-36px|auto|-36px|67px|true|” custom_padding=”||0px|3px||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”5074px” custom_padding=”0px||30px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]
DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
|
Virakesari: “Chemmani is a base for all investigations” – Representatives of Tamil nationalist political parties point out | Photograph: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa release a commemorative stamp at the centenary celebration of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) on July 5, at the BMICH in Colombo Thinakaran: Two suspects arrested in connection with murder, robbery and kidnapping incidents that took place in the Eastern Province from 2005 to 2008! | The Speaker’s residence is not used for private events | “Only criminals fear Shani (Abeysekara)” – Nalinda Jayatissa |
Thinakkural: “The Chemmani mass grave appears to be a place where major crimes took place! Bodies were buried at a shallow depth in a hurry! The bones of children are also found, which is causing a huge controversy” – Senior lawyer K.S. Ratnavel | “Explosives found in the South! Did they come in the containers mentioned by Archchuna MP?” – Podujana Peramuna questions | “The situation is worse now than during the LTTE era” – Sagara Kariyawasam | 52 human skeletons discovered so far Thamilan: Deforestation in Vedivaithakal [Vavuniya]! Attempt to encroach on land up to 1,000 acres; Ravikaran MP inspects the situation | 18% VAT on digital services to be implemented in October | Agreements can be published with India’s permission; Wimal Weerawansa reveals government secrets |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: 12 including Keheliya summoned to court over the substandard medicine case: former President Ranil Wickremesinghe among 350 summoned to provide evidence | Adani asks for the money spent on the Mannar wind power plant Divaina: Former OIC of Aranaganwila ordered to compensate two farmers arrested at Kalukele protest: “Teach magistrates the fundamentals of criminal justice; police need practical training to disperse protests” – Supreme Court Ada: 18% VAT to be imposed on digital services from October 1: a higher price to be paid for many digital services? |
Mawbima: No number plates for 80,000 motorbikes due to the RMV number plate tender issue: 1,500 vehicles also queued up | No state institution can conceal how public funds are spent on state employees – A historic verdict from the Appeals Court Dinamina: [The imposition of] Trump’s tax postponed to August 1 | [US to impose] 10% tariff on countries supporting BRICS policies Aruna: 18% tax on digital services from October 1; online hotel bookings, bank transactions, videos, and music also included Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
Deforestation in Vedivaithakal [Vavuniya]! Attempt to grab nearly 1,000 acres; Ravikaran MP inspects the situation
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
It was learnt that in the Vedivaithakallu Grama Niladhari Division under the Vavuniya North Divisional Secretariat Division, the Tamil people’s farmlands have been encroached upon by the majority community, and through the Mahaweli (L) project, large forest areas of about 1,000 acres are being destroyed by them and encroachment attempts are being made.
In this context, ITAK MP T. Ravikaran visited the area and discussed this with the Forest Department officer of the area and the Vavuniya North Divisional Secretary.
Ravikaran claimed that appropriate action will be taken to prevent this encroachment attempt, and he will speak to the relevant ministries in this regard and will also present this matter in parliament.
Massive deforestation and land grabbing in Vavuniya North; Jagatheeswaran MP orders a proper investigation
Thinakaran Commenting on the deforestation and land grabbing in Vavuniya North, NPP MP M. Jegatheeswaran stated that the government will not support the unjust acquisition of land. He added that he has directed that an investigation be conducted into the deforestation of Vedivaithakallu, Vavuniya North, and a report be submitted within a week, and that those involved be brought to justice. |
More skeletons found at Chemmani mass grave
Thamilan, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran 52 human skeletons have been identified and 47 of them have been exhumed at the Chemmani mass grave site as of yesterday (7th). Thinakaran reports that 47 were identified and 44 of them have been exhumed. |
“Chemmani is a base for all investigations” – Representatives of Tamil nationalist political parties point out
Virakesari ITAK MP S. Shritharan claimed that the evidence identified in Chemmani is the main evidence of the genocide committed against the Tamils and pointed out that some political parties are trying to hide the facts by saying that the matter is being spoken about as fiction. He added that the matter should be viewed on a broader basis, and based on the evidence provided by the former Bishop of Mannar, Rayappu Joseph, that more than 100,000 people had disappeared and been killed during the final phase of the war that ended in 2009. ACTC MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam stated that the Chemmani mass grave or the war crimes committed during the final stages of the war in 2009 cannot be considered as the only violations against the Tamils, adding that, on the contrary, violations against the Tamils have been reported continuously since the country gained independence in 1948, and as a result, the armed struggle arose. He added that after the war ended, only the violations that occurred during its final stages were discussed, as if they were the only ones that took place. |
“The Chemmani mass grave appears to be a place where major crimes took place! Bodies were buried at a shallow depth in a hurry! The bones of children are also found, which is causing a huge controversy” – Senior lawyer K.S. Ratnavel
Thinakkural Commenting on the nature of the Chemmani mass grave, senior lawyer K.S. Ratnavel stated that skeletons of children have been recovered from the site, which has created a controversy, adding that children cannot be considered as criminals or engaged in criminal activities in any way. He added that the site seems to be a place where major crimes have occurred. He highlighted that the bodies had been buried at a shallow depth, which suggests that they were buried in a hurry. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Twelve, including Keheliya, summoned to court over the substandard medicine case
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Aruna
The Colombo High Court Special Trial-at-Bar has issued summons on former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella and 11 others to appear in court on 11 July.
The summons has been issued in relation to a case filed over the alleged import of substandard Human Immunoglobulin vials.
Accordingly, summons have been issued in order to serve the indictments filed against the accused.
Indictments have been filed under 13 separate charges against the accused.
President joins Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s Fifty years in Priesthood celebration | “The government must presently investigate itself over Easter Sunday (attack) probe” – President
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina A ceremony commemorating 50 years of priesthood of the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, was held yesterday (7th) at his official residence, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Notable dignitaries, including Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and several religious leaders, also attended the ceremony. Ada, featuring a statement made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the ceremony, quoted the president stating that the government “must presently investigate itself concerning the Easter Sunday attacks that took place in April 2019.” Dissanayake added that it is a task that must be carried out no matter how difficult it may seem and that he will see it through. |
[The imposition of] Trump’s tax postponed to August 1
Dinamina, Aruna The 90-day grace period given by US President Donald Trump to nearly 200 countries to hold discussions with the White House regarding the imposed illegal tariffs ends tomorrow (9th). However, foreign media reports that the implementation of the tariff policy has been postponed until August 1. Further, President Trump has warned that countries unable to engage in discussions with the White House before the end of the grace period will have to face the relevant tariffs starting August 1. |
“Free healthcare does not mean purchasing medicine from pharmacies” – Premadasa
Dinamina
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that free healthcare does not mean receiving treatment from government hospitals and purchasing the medicine from private pharmacies.
Premadasa pointed out that there is a serious breakdown in the country’s health system, which is an important aspect of the welfare state.
He highlighted that three out of four MRI scanners at the National Hospital are out of order, and heart patients have to spend hundreds of thousands of rupees to obtain medicines and other supplies, despite receiving government hospital services.
He also noted a severe shortage of vaccines, anaesthetics, and painkillers, and that this shortage has increased even in private pharmacies.
Sajith Premadasa emphasised that the concept of free healthcare, a major gift to the country, should be free in its full and true sense.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Daughter of specialist doctor at Jayewardenepura Hospital remanded over alleged death threats to two CIABOC officers
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari
The daughter of remanded specialist neurosurgeon of the Jayewardenepura Hospital, Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, has been arrested for allegedly threatening officials at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
The suspect has been ordered to be further remanded until the 9th of this month.
The order was issued yesterday (7th) by the Colombo Chief Magistrate.
Two B reports were filed against the suspect by the Keselwatta Police and the Bribery Commission.
Accordingly, the first B report related to the incident was submitted to the court by the Keselwatta Police, while the Bribery Commission presented facts related to the second B report.
18% VAT to be imposed on digital services from October 1
Divaina, Ada, Aruna, Thamilan
The government will implement an 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) on digital services provided by non-resident companies to Sri Lankan consumers, effective from October 1, 2025.
Under the new regulation, foreign digital service providers will be required to register for VAT in Sri Lanka and collect the tax on their services rendered locally.
This measure comes under the updated VAT framework introduced through the VAT (Amendment) Act, No. 4 of 2025, which extended the scope of VAT to cover digital services.
Further clarifications on the implementation process have been issued by the Inland Revenue Department through Gazette Notification No. 2443/30.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Bradman Weerakoon, who was secretary to seven prime ministers and three presidents, passes away – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
2. A 10% extra tax on BRICS countries that are against the US – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Virakesari
3. All online services of the EC halted due to maintenance – Ada, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
4. Adani asks for the money spent on the Mannar wind power plant – Lankadeepa, Thinakkural
5. Two associates of Pillayan arrested in connection with murder, robbery and kidnapping incidents that took place in the Eastern Province from 2005 to 2008! – Dinamina, Thinakaran
[/paywall]
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]