DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: The doctorate of the Speaker removed from the parliament website | The remaining MP seat from the cylinder taken through deceit | Kekulu [rice] to be sold at Rs. 220 and Nadu [rice] to be sold at Rs. 230; gazette on maximum price issued
– Thalangama police tells the court; the four development officers who were in remand granted bail; a preliminary objection by the defence regarding the identification parade as well
Ada: U.S. imposes ban on Kapila and Udayanga over corruption allegations regarding the purchase of air buses and MiG airplanes
Mawbima: Udayanga Weeratunga and Kapila Chandrasena banned from the U.S. over two airplane transactions; families also banned – U.S. State Department | “Ashoka Ranwala has not studied at the Japanese University” – Athukorala; the Speaker to issue a statement regarding the PhD soon
Dinamina: A committee on food security together with the ministries of trade and agriculture as proposed by the president | Pictorial: School uniform material received from China
Aruna: Increase the MRP and reduce the rice tax – Importers request the government
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Relatives of the disappeared protest on the International Human Rights Day
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The associations of the families of the enforced disappeared persons held various protests and demonstrations in all districts of the Northern and Eastern Provinces yesterday (10th) marking the International Day of Human Rights. Protesters in Vavuniya claimed that the international community has abandoned the Eelam Tamils, and it does not consider them as human beings. They added that they are looking for an international probe into the disappearances, under the UN charter, as they have no confidence in domestic mechanisms.
“Similar to Sri Lanka (governments), the international community too deceives the Tamils” –Ariyanethiran
Thinakkural
Former MP and the common Tamil presidential candidate in the last election P. Ariyanethiran claimed that the mothers of the enforced disappeared persons have been struggling for an international investigation to find the truth of what happened to their children for the last 15 years. He added that they have been deceived by the international community similar to how the Sri Lanka governments have deceived them. He claimed that despite the changes in the names of the presidents and of the governments, none of them were ready to provide a political solution for the Tamils and to provide justice for the genocide.
“End the encroachment by [Indian] fisherfolk through a discussion with the Indian PM” – Fisherfolk association requests the president
Thinakkural
President of the Federation of Fisheries Associations of Jaffna District A. Mariyathas has claimed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should discuss the matter of encroachment by Tamil Nadu fisherfolk into Sri Lankan waters and end the issue during his visit to India. He noted that the Northern fisherfolk have been facing many troubles because of Indian bottom trawlers.
“An attempt to revive the TNA” – Selvam Adaikkalanathan
Thinakkural, Virakesari
Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) MP (Selvam) Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan claimed that discussions are underway on possibilities of uniting the political parties which were part of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). He added that it is necessary for all Tamil MPs in parliament to be united as a parliamentary group to collectively raise their voices for the Tamil people’s issues. He noted that if they are united, the people will also extend their support to them.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Anil Jasinghe appointed as the secretary of health and mass media
Divaina, Mawbima
Dr. Anil Jasinghe was appointed as the new secretary of the Ministry of Health and Media by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The official appointment letter was handed over to Dr. Jasinghe by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake yesterday (10th) at the Presidential Secretariat.
“If we get bonuses, we will be in the dark during the next drought” – Ranjan Jayalal
Mawbima
Convener of the United Ceylon Electricity Employees’ Union Ranjan Jayalal stated that if the employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) are awarded bonuses this year from the profits it has received, the CEB itself will not be able to provide the necessary electricity to face the drought that will strike the island from January to June of 2025. Jayalal added that the CEB has made a decision to allocate the money to ensure the provision of electricity during the drought considering the inconveniences that the public might face during the potential drought period.
56% growth recorded this year in comparison to last year in the tourism industry – CBSL
Aruna
Rice importers have requested the Ministry of Trade to increase the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of imported rice while reducing the tax charged per kilo on importation. It was announced that a kilo of imported Kekulu rice would be sold at the MRP of Rs. 210, a kilo of imported Nadu rice at the MRP of Rs. 220 and a kilo of imported Samba rice at the MRP of Rs. 230. However, rice importers point out that it is problematic to sell rice at that MRP due to the tax of Rs. 65 charged per kilo on rice imports.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Faiszer Musthapha appointed to the remaining national list seat of the cylinder [NDF]: secretary submits name; “This is political robbery” – Wajira Abeywardana
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
The secretary of the New Democratic Front (NDF) has informed the Election Commission (EC) that Faiszer Musthapha has been nominated to be appointed as a Member of Parliament (MP) through its national list. It is reported that the secretary had done so without informing the other parties in the coalition. Issuing a statement, Chair of the UNP Wajira Abeywardana responded to the appointment stating that appointing Musthapha without the knowledge of the other parties in the coalition is political robbery.
Udayanga Weeratunga and Kapila Chandrasena banned from the U.S. over two airplane transactions; families also banned – U.S. State Department
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The U.S. State Department announced that the United States has imposed sanctions and visa restrictions on former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and former Sri Lanka Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga along with their immediate family members. It is reported that Chandrasena is accused of accepting bribes to ensure that SriLankan Airlines purchased overpriced Airbuses, while Weeratunga is alleged to have orchestrated a corrupt scheme involving the procurement of MiG aircraft for the Sri Lanka Air Force. Commenting on the ban, Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the ban that was imposed on the two corrupt individuals motivates and relieves the process of preventing and punishing corruption in Sri Lanka.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Two gazettes issued for the controlled price of rice | Call 1977 on vendors who sell rice at higher prices than the controlled price – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. President Anura to visit India on December 15 – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. A committee on food security together with the ministries of trade and agriculture as proposed by the president – Ada, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
4. “A statement regarding the PhD of the Speaker will be given next week” – Jayatissa – Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakkural