DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: “The election will be conducted this year irrespective of who goes to court; negotiations will be carried out to enforce the maximum powers provided in the 13A” – The president states while attending Sampanthan’s final rites | “Narendra Modi will provide his support to fulfill Sampanthan’s objectives” – Annamalai | Photograph: Sampanthan’s funeral procession | Sampanthan’s remains cremated in the presence of a massive crowd; President Ranil Wickremesinghe, BJP Tamil Nadu President Annamalai and various parties attend | The trial on the petition regarding the postponement of the presidential election to be taken up for hearing today
Thinakaran: The government lost Rs. 5,564 million due to the unofficial loan schemes implemented during Sajith Premadasa’s tenure; action has been taken to suspend the installments of 53,709 individuals | “Sampanthan and I worked together to find a resolution within an undivided Sri Lanka; I am dedicated to resolving the issues of the Tamil people; the presidential election will be held this year irrespective of who goes to court” – The president states during his address expressing condolences for Sampanthan
Thinakkural: The Tamil people tearfully bid farewell to Sampanthan in his hometown; the remains of the veteran leader cremated
Thamilan: Sampanthan’s remains cremated; the Tamil community tearfully bids farewell; the final rites held emotionally in the capital city of the Tamil Nation
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: “The date of the presidential election will be announced within the next two weeks” – The chairperson of the Election Commission; the government printer, the IGP and the postmaster general to be summoned to the Election Commission | She murdered her mother-in-law and held her two children hostage; daughter-in-law arrested | MP Chinthaka, who went on stage to sing, was attacked with a bottle; the one apprehended associated with the SJB
Divaina: 800,000 state sector employees to “fall sick” (take sick leave) today and tomorrow demanding the allowance of Rs. 25,000 granted to the executive service; “Teachers to ‘fall sick’ tomorrow” – Stalin
Ada: 500,000 state sector employees to “fall sick” (take sick leave) today and tomorrow demanding Rs. 25,000; teachers and principals to ‘fall sick’ tomorrow
Mawbima: 200 trade unions to fight for Rs. 20,000; the state sector to “fall sick” (take sick leave) today and tomorrow | The petition seeking the postponement of the presidential election to be considered today
Dinamina: “Housing loans granted during Sajith’s tenure as the housing minister resulted in a loss of Rs. 5,564 million” – The chairperson of the National Housing Development Authority
Aruna: Daughter-in-law who killed the mother-in-law holds the children hostage; the police rescue the children after a two-and-a-half hour operation
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Sampanthan’s remains cremated; the Tamil people tearfully bid farewell
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The remains of the veteran Tamil leader of the ITAK, R. Sampanthan, were cremated yesterday (7th) in Trincomalee. The final rites of the late R. Sampanthan were held emotionally in the presence of a massive crowd, along with the participation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai and other politicians. Diplomats residing in Sri Lanka and representatives of international organisations also paid tribute to Sampanthan during the final rites.
“Narendra Modi will provide his support to fulfill Sampanthan’s objectves” – Annamalai
Virakesari, Thinakkural
BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai stated that the late ITAK MP R. Sampanthan lived and died for an important objective, but this objective has not been fulfilled perfectly. He added that the BJP and the prime minister of India will extend their support to fulfill this objective. He also appealed to all leaders to work together to resume the duties that Sampanthan left behind.
“Everyone must pledge to achieve the goals of Sampanthan” – Santosh Jha
Virakesari
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lankan Santosh Jha stated that everyone must be united and committed to achieving the goals that the late ITAK MP R. Sampanthan has left behind. He added that India had been listening to Sampanthan’s concerns and he had been firm about achieving a political resolution while also being concerned about the economic development of the country.
“It would be good news if Rs. 1,700 is provided” – Radhakrishnan
Thinakaran
SJB MP V. Radhakrishnan stated that it would be good news if the plantation workers are provided the daily wage of Rs.1,700 as stated in the announcement published in the gazette. He added that the Supreme Court has imposed an interim injunction on the implementation of the said gazette. He further stated that it is wrong that this gazette notification was published by the Ministry of Labour without consulting the plantation companies and that it is an act of deceiving the plantation workers. He also emphasised that the government must resolve this issue.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Daily News
“When it comes to developing the country, I don’t distinguish between Chandrika and Mahinda, or between the government and the opposition”– The president
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina
While participating at a commendation ceremony in Kalutara to honour SLPP MP Rohitha Abegunawardhana’s 27 years in politics, President Ranil Wickremesinghe called on SLPP members to rethink their approach in today’s evolving world and advance beyond entrenched, outdated political norms. He noted he had similarly advised the UNP, stressing the importance of collaboration to tackle the task of securing a prosperous future for the youth.
“I plan to pursue legal action against all who hindered my access to the party headquarters” – Jayasekara
Dinamina
MP Dayasiri Jayasekara affirmed his intention to initiate contempt of court proceedings against individuals who hindered his access to the SLFP headquarters on Darley Road, Colombo, when he aimed to assume his role as the general secretary of the party. He expressed his hope that the court would intervene to facilitate his assumption of duties at the party headquarters.
“Media owners and executives must declare assets” – The CIABOC
Dinamina
Chairperson of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Neil Iddawala emphasised that owners, executives, and journalists of media organisations must submit their asset and liability declarations to the secretary of the Ministry of Mass Media. He highlighted that according to the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, individuals possessing assets are legally required to disclose their financial holdings.
The LSSP politburo rejects the proposal for an alliance with the Sarvajana Balaya
Mawbima
The proposal to forge an alliance with the Sarvajana Balaya that was brought before the Lanka Sama Samaja Party’s (LSSP) politburo, has been rejected. Opponents of the proposal highlighted the need to fortify the party internally amidst ongoing internal challenges instead of pursuing political alliances at present. Consequently, the decision has been made to prioritise the strengthening of the party and the formulation of political plans the party requires.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Ada Derana
200 trade unions to fight for Rs. 25,000 | The state sector to “fall sick” today and tomorrow
Ada, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Divaina, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
Over 200 trade unions, representing various sectors at the government, semi-government and provincial levels have launched trade union action by calling in sick today (8th) and tomorrow (9th), as announced by the Trade Union Collective. The protesting unions are demanding that the government grant the special monthly allowance of Rs.25,000, currently allocated to officers in the executive service category, to all government employees (Mawbima reports this figure as Rs. 20,000). It was also reported that the teachers’ unions are scheduled to join the trade union action tomorrow (9th).
“The SLPP will extend its support and strength to President Wickremesinghe as long as he protects the country and its people” – Basil Rajapaksa
Dinamina, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
Former minister and SLPP Founder Basil Rajapaksa expressed the party’s commitment to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, pledging continued support as long as he safeguards the nation and its citizens. Rajapaksa emphasised that the SLPP’s backing of the president, while being a government-affiliated party, stemmed not from apprehension but from confidence in Wickremesinghe’s leadership abilities. Basil Rajapaksa affirmed Wickremesinghe as the optimal choice to guide the country forward. These remarks were made during a commendation event held at the Railway Grounds in Kalutara to honour SLPP MP Rohitha Abegunawardhana’s 27-year political career. The event was also attended by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “ The presidential election will be held this year irrespective of who goes to court” – The president – Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. “The date of the presidential election will be announced within the next two weeks” – The chairperson of the Election Commission – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
3. The President’s Fund scholarship programme to be implemented at the district level starting from July 12 – Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
4. “Housing loans granted during Sajith’s tenure as housing minister resulted in a loss of Rs. 5,564 million” – The chairperson of the National Housing Development Authority – Dinamina, Ada, Thinakaran