DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: Presidential term is five years; the Supreme Court dismisses the petition; the court directs the petitioner to pay a case fee | Two including ‘Club Wasantha’ killed in a shooting incident
Thinakaran: “The protest by state employees is meaningless; salary hike can be granted only if the VAT is increased; the government cannot impose such a burden on the public”– Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana | Presidential term is five years; the Supreme Court dismisses the petition | Two including ‘Club Wasantha’ killed in a shooting incident in Athurugiriya
Thinakkural: The Supreme Court refuses to issue an interim order (preventing) the presidential election from being held; a five-bench panel of judges dismissed the petition | “There could be disharmony if the date of the election is changed” – Mahanayake Thera warns | “A conspiracy being plotted at the Government Press to postpone the election” – Gammanpila
Thamilan: (The Supreme) Court rejects that the presidential term is six years; Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya tells the petitioner not to waste the time of the court
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: A shower of bullets in a tattoo studio in Athurugiriya: Was ‘Club Wasantha’ killed on a Rs. 700 million contract? Six including singer K. Sujeewa, hospitalised | The tenure [of the president] is five years: petition regarding the presidential election dismissed: Court blames petitioner | “There are doubts regarding the death of two students at Altair”– Father informs the court
Divaina: “Helped to murder ‘Club Wasantha’ for a Rs. 1 million contract that came from Dubai” – Owner of the tattoo studio | Petition submitted to postpone the presidential election, dismissed
Ada: ‘Club Wasantha’ was the only target of the murderers
Mawbima: ‘Club Wasantha’ murdered by a shower of bullets in a tattoo studio in Athurugiriya | Court dismisses petition to postpone the presidential election
Dinamina: “If salaries are increased, the VAT, which is at 18%, will be increased to 21%” – Treasury Secretary | ‘Club Wasantha’ was murdered with gold-plated bullets
Aruna: The Club-Wasantha murder was carried out by KPI | Government service disrupted due to strikes: Passport operations halted; People severely inconvenienced; One million parcels and letters stuck in the post; “VAT will be increased if salaries are increased” – Finance Ministry
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Colombo Telegraph
Political solutions and merging the North and East are essential; the ITAK emphasises at a discussion with (Kuppusamy) Annamalai
Virakesari
A discussion was held between a delegation headed by Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) Leader Sivagnanam Shritharan and State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – Tamil Nadu, Kuppusamy Annamalai, on Sunday (7th) in Trincomalee.
The discussion focused on the importance of a political solution and the merger of the North and the East.
Annamalai was briefed on various problems faced by the Tamil people in the Trincomalee District, including land grabbing and human rights violations.
Governor of the Easter Province Senthil Thondaman was also part of the discussion.
“The presidential election will be held at the correct time without any interruption” – Election Commissioner
Virakesari
Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake claimed that the election will be held this year without any interruptions.
He noted that a culture of giving priority to investors to contest in the election is emerging in Sri Lanka, adding that the elections are influenced by local and international businesspersons.
He further added that it has become unavoidable now and therefore, the commission has a responsibility to educate the public in this regard.
“The announcement by the Supreme Court will solve many issues” – (Mahinda) Deshapriya
Thinakkural
Former Chairperson of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya stated that postponing elections for narrow political purposes is a violation of democracy.
He added that he believes that the Supreme Court’s determination in terms of the presidential election will solve many issues.
He further added that the leaders are well aware of the consequences of postponements of presidential and general elections in the history of Sri Lankan politics.
“International donors’ conference to develop the North and East” – Sajith Premadasa
Thamilan
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa claimed that the Northern and Eastern provinces, where lives had been lost, had not been developed in the post-war period.
He added that they will expand development projects to those regions and take measures to hold an international donor conference centralising the North and East.
He further noted that steps will be taken to discuss with respective countries to resolve the issues faced by the fishing community.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: True News.lk
“The JVP, FSP and the SJB are behind this” – Rathnapriya | “The only attempt of the JVP, which is behind the strikes, is to destabilise the country” – (Mahindananda) Aluthgamage
Divaina, Dinamina
Divaina cited the Director General of Trade Unions to the President, Saman Rathnapriya, stating that it is the JVP, the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) and the SJB that are behind the strikes being carried out in the country presently.
He added while some institutions are carrying out operations as usual, the intention of certain institutions and trade unions that are involved in the strike is to destabilise the country.
Dinamina reported a similar statement by MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage, stating that the JVP is behind the strikes, and their only attempt is to destabilise the country.
Aluthgamage added that the JVP has made this attempt several times before and is attempting to do the same now, as the country has become slightly more economically positive.
“An agreement to hold the PC election according to the old method” – President
Ada
President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that an agreement has been reached on holding the Provincial Council Election according to the old method due to the problematic situation with the new system.
Wickremesinghe further added that no matter who goes before the court, the presidential election will definitely be held this year and that the parliamentary election and the provincial council election will be held thereafter.
Dilan says that the Dullas faction will be joining the SJB
Mawbima
MP Dilan Perera stated that a group of opposition MPs led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma will be joining the SJB alliance soon.
He added that the Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa [Freedom People’s Congress] was prepared to do the match-making necessary to bring all parties of the opposition together for the upcoming elections.
He further added that although “Ranil Rajapaksa” is saying that “the news is good,” he will never win the presidential election.
“Ranil’s final trump card is also done” – (Anura Kumara) Dissanayaka
Mawbima
NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka stated that yesterday’s (8th) court verdict showed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s last plan to postpone the election has also failed.
Dissanayaka added that there was no option left for the president now but to stand before the people.
Seeking public opinion for the amendment of the electricity tariff, today
Ada
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) stated that public opinion with regard to making the second electricity tariff amendment for the year will be sought today (9th).
This will be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm today (9th).
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
The tenure [of the president] is five years: petition regarding the presidential election dismissed
Lankadeea, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The petition filed to postpone the presidential election to be held this year was dismissed by the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (8th).
The petition sought an order preventing the Election Commission (EC) from holding the presidential election, until a determination on the President’s tenure was provided by the court.
The petition was taken up for consideration in the presence of a five-judge Bench yesterday (8th) and it was ruled that the constitution clearly mentions that the tenure of the president is five years.
The Attorney General (AG) requested the SC to dismiss the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed to delay the election citing that the fundamental rights of the petitioner have not been violated as described in the petition.
‘Club Wasantha’ murdered by a shower of bullets in a tattoo studio in Athurugiriya
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Surendra Wasantha Perera, alias ‘Club Wasantha’, was shot dead by two gunmen yesterday (8th).
The shooting occurred during the opening ceremony of a tattoo parlour near the Athurugiriya Clock Tower.
Six individuals who were injured were rushed to hospital following the shooting.
However, the police confirmed that the 55-year-old notorious businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera and a 38-year-old male had succumbed to their injuries on admission to the hospital.
The print media also reported that four other individuals, including the popular singer, K. Sujeewa, were injured and are currently receiving treatment.
The print media highlighted that the shooting was done on contract and some suspicions have arisen that ‘Kanjipani Imran’, who is a notorious underworld figure, is behind the shooting.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “If salaries are increased, the VAT, which is at 18%, will be increased to 21%” – Treasury Secretary – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. State services disrupted due to strikes: Government announces that schools will function normally – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. “If the election dates are changed, there will be unrest in the country” – Leader of the Asgiri Chapter tells G.L. Peiris – Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakkural