DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: “Presidential election will take place at the right time; the people will decide whether they need Ranil Wickremesinghe” – Ali Sabry | “People will get on the streets if the election is not conducted at the right time” – Sumanthiran | Underworld groups must be killed: Government party expresses concerns in the House with regard to the video released | Pictorial: Passengers are hanging outside a train due to the lack of train services as a result of trade union action | “Those who have engaged in strikes will be deemed to have vacated their post” – Bandula Gunawardana
Thinakaran: Railway general manager issues letters to 1,000 station masters who are on strike that they have vacated their posts; Minister Bandula Gunawardana expresses that the said letters cannot be withdrawn | Fly-over at Kompanna Veediya handed over to the public | Constitutional Council approves the appointment of lawyer Parinda Ranasinghe as the AG | “Government has allocated Rs. 5,386 million for agricultural pension payments” – Mahinda Amaraweera
Thinakkural: “There is a huge plot being hatched in the president’s house against the interpretation of the Supreme Court regarding the tenure of the president” – Anura Kumara Dissanayaka | “Government is plotting against the constitution; we will defeat it” – Sajith Premadasa | Law and order have been destroyed; violence is at a high; people are in a huge panic | “We understand the purpose of the president; the president is planning to benefit by making trouble in the country” – Lakshman Kiriella | “Underworld groups must be completely eradicated” – Prasanna Ranatunga
Thamilan: “Government is secretly attempting to delay conducting the election” – Sumanthiran | “Election date will be announced soon” –Commissioner general of elections | “Add the presidents of trade unions to the list of terrorists” – Kanchana Wijesekera
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: CID files six cases against Diana Gamage
Divaina: Participants in the railway strike receive letters that ‘send them home’ (terminate employment), akin to the July 1980 strike| A 100 million loss incurred during the two days | “We will not call off the union action until we get solutions” – Chairperson of Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union
Ada: Railway strike concluded; We ended the strike due to the promise made to present a cabinet paper – Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union
Mawbima: Railway strike ends: 1,020 get letters that ‘send them home’ (suspend or terminate employment) | The unions says that the minister gave a promise | AG’s objections to Hirunika’s bail application
Dinamina: Railway strike concluded: No disciplinary action against those who reported to work before midnight yesterday |Those who failed to do so and violated essential service regulations will face the consequences
Aruna: Railway strike concluded: Rapid solutions for the station masters’ problems | Disciplinary action against those who won’t report to work
Anidda: “A referendum to amend the constitution does not hinder presidential elections. The funds required should be provided by the president who initiates it” – Official of the Election Commission
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Ceylon News
“Government is attempting to delay conducting the election” – Sumanthiran
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
ITAK MP M.A. Sumanthiran stated that the resolution passed by the Cabinet to bring an amendment to the constitution regarding the term of the president is an attempt to cause uncertainty among the people regarding the presidential election and an attempt to delay conducting the presidential election. He added that the presidential election must be conducted before October 17, otherwise the people will probably get on the streets.
“There is a huge plot being hatched in the president’s house” – Anura Kumara Dissanayaka
Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural
NPP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka stated that the president is engaged in a plot to act against the interpretation made by the Supreme Court regarding the term of the president. He added that Ranil Wickremesinghe or Wajira Abeywardana or Palitha Range Bandara cannot interpret the constitution, but the authority to make interpretations of the constitution rests with the Supreme Court only. He further added that the president will be defeated before the cabinet paper to amend the term is enacted.
“Add to the list of terrorists those who are conducting strikes” – Kanchana Wijesekera
Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera stated that the General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union Joseph Stalin and the presidents of railway trade unions should be added to the list of terrorists. He added that those who are conducting such strikes are attempting to achieve their demands by holding innocent people hostage. He further added that if stern decisions are not taken against the trade unions that are functioning improperly, the country cannot move towards progress.
Three human remains exhumed during the mass grave excavation at Kokkuthoduwai
Thinakkural, Virakesari
Three human remains were exhumed yesterday (11th) from the Kokkuthoduwai mass grave. The exhumation process was conducted yesterday as the seventh day of the mass grave excavation under the third phase at Kokkuthoduwai. During the process in the presence of the Mullaitivu magistrate, judicial medical officer of Mullaitivu, Forensic Police Division and the archaeological research team, three human remains together with a number plate bearing no. O-3035 were completely exhumed. Seven human remains have been found during the third phase.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Mawratanews.lk
Colombo Fort magistrate suspended
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Divaina
Colombo Fort Magistrate Kosala Senadheera has been suspended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from his position effective Wednesday. The suspension comes amid allegations that Senadheera illegally obtained electricity and water for the official residence of the Mount Lavinia magistrate while he served as its chief magistrate. Senadheera, who recently assumed the role of Colombo Fort chief magistrate, faces suspension pending the outcome of investigations launched following a complaint lodged by the secretary of the Ministry of Justice to the JSC on May 8.
“A referendum to amend the constitution does not hinder presidential elections” – Official of the Election Commission
Anidda
According to a statement from an official of the Election Commission, conducting a referendum to decide on the adoption of a constitutional amendment regarding the president’s term would not interfere with the presidential election. The official further noted that if the president initiates such a referendum, he would also need to ensure the allocation of the necessary funds to support the process.
“SLPP will oppose a referendum” – Kariyawasam
Anidda
General Secretary of the SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam stated that even if the Supreme Court determines that a constitutional amendment regarding the president’s term can be enacted with the approval of a two-thirds majority in parliament and a subsequent referendum, the SLPP will firmly oppose any such proposal if it is brought before the Cabinet.
Dinesh attempts to garner SLPP support for the president
Anidda
The newspaper reports that the SLPP is determined not to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election due to his continuous deception, particularly regarding unfulfilled promises of ministerial posts for senior SLPP members. However, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena is attempting to change this stance and garner SLPP support for the president. In a recent discussion with SLPP leaders, Gunawardena reportedly emphasised the importance of reaching an agreement with the president concerning the upcoming election.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Lanka News Web
Railway strike: Over a thousand employees get termination letters | A 100 million loss incurred during the two days
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Anidda, Virakesari, Thinakaran
Newspapers report that a decision was made late last night (11th) to call off the two-day railway strike effective from midnight. Minister of Transport and Highways Bandula Gunawardana stated that no disciplinary action would be taken against officials who report for duty by midnight, but legal action would be pursued against those who did not comply.
Interestingly, Anidda, Divaina, Virakesari and Thinakaran make no mention of the strike ending.
All newspapers however reported that the Railways General Manager (GMR) had issued termination letters to over a thousand station masters and other railway employees following the declaration of public transport as an essential service. It is also reported that the strike resulted in a loss of Rs. 100 million over the two days.
CID files six cases against Diana Gamage
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakaran
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed six cases against former State Minister Diana Gamage on July 11 in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. The charges include violating immigration laws such as fabricating a foreign travel document and residing in Sri Lanka without a valid visa.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. AG files written objections to Hirunika’s bail application – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Thinakaran
2. Constitutional Council approves the appointment of Parinda Ranasinghe as attorney general – Lankadeepa, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. “Presidential election will be held between October 5 and 12” – Ali Sabry – Aruna, Virakesari