Highlights the differences and nuances in reporting between Sinhala and Tamil newspapers.
Over the past week, the Sinhala and Tamil press converged on four main stories. These stories were: (i) plans to revoke the privileges afforded to former presidents; (ii) the alleged attempt by the government to establish control over youth clubs; (iii) proposals for education reform; and (iv) the president’s speech in Parliament warning opposition parties not to resort to conspiracies to destabilise the government.
The Sinhala press exclusively featured two main stories: (i) alleged internal disagreements between the JVP and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya; and (ii) the rise in organised crime in the country.
The Tamil press exclusively featured four main stories: (i) a hartal organised by the ITAK in the North and East condemning increased militarisation and the death of a 32-year-old individual near the Oddusuddan camp in Mullaitivu; (ii) the interrogation of journalist Kumanan Kanapathippillai by the Counter-Terrorism Investigation Department; (iii) commemoration of the anniversaries of the Sencholai, Veeramunai, and Eravur massacres; and (iv) ongoing excavations in Chemmani in Jaffna and Sampur in Trincomalee.