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Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: CEB and PUCSL clash over electricity bill: “The bill can be reduced by 23%” – PUCSL; “No, it cannot be reduced” – CEB | India’s support for the digital – power development: Modi and Anura reach agreement
Divaina: “India helped us recover when the country fell back then” – President Dissanayake | Modi ensures India’s support through the ‘Neighbourhood First’ and SAGAR initiatives; a joint statement to build cooperation
Mawbima: “Will not let Sri Lanka’s land be used in a way that will harm the region” – President states in India | Water bill in Railway quarters is Rs. 5!
Aruna: The rice importation of the state keeps getting delayed
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
India’s full support for President Anura’s programme: physical-digital energy advances; training in India to be given for 1,500 civil servants; agro-fishery industries to boom; scholarships for university students of the Jaffna and Eastern universities
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commenced bilateral discussions yesterday (16th) in New Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka.
The two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation, with a strong emphasis on enhancing defense ties, economic collaboration, and regional security.
Conducting a joint media briefing following their discussions, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in President Dissanayake’s leadership, and commended his efforts to strengthen the ties between Sri Lanka and India.
President Dissanayake assured Sri Lanka would not allow any activities on its land that could undermine or harm the security of India and the region and stressed that Sri Lanka will always prioritise regional stability.
The leaders of the two nations laid emphasis on several key areas of collaboration, including defense, maritime security, and economic development.
Prime Minister Modi mentioned the ongoing cooperation in agriculture, dairy production, and fisheries, and the introduction of an innovative digital mapping system for Sri Lanka. Modi reassured India’s support toward Sri Lanka through India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (Vision SAGAR) initiative.
Modi also reaffirmed India’s support for the country’s reconciliation process and efforts to address the aspirations of the people in the North and East including awarding scholarships to students of the Jaffna and Eastern universities.
Adding a doctorate in front of the name: a complaint to the CID from Minister Harshana
Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (16th), requesting an investigation into the inclusion of inaccurate educational qualifications in the parliament database.
Minister Nanayakkara expressed concerns that the erroneous data might have been deliberately entered with the aim of defaming him or eroding public trust.
The minister’s name had been listed as “Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara” on the parliament website.
Following a complaint, the officials responsible for updating the site took immediate steps to correct the information.
The new Speaker to be chosen today
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina
A new Speaker of the House is expected to be elected in parliament today (17th).
The re-election of the Speaker comes in the wake of the resignation of Asoka Ranwala.
This will take place following the parliamentary session, which is scheduled to commence at 9:30 am today (17th).
Additionally, Chief Opposition Whip, MP Gayantha Karunathilaka told Dinamina yesterday (16th) that the SJB will announce their decision today (17th) on whether or not an individual from the Opposition will be nominated for the post of Speaker after discussing the matter with the other parties of the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya Alliance.
“I will not be the Chair of the SLFP anymore” – Sirisena
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna
The petition that was filed in the Court of Appeal alleging that former President Maithripala Sirisena was in contempt of court by violating the order given by the District Court preventing him from acting as the Chair of the SLFP was settled in court yesterday (16th).
The case was settled when the lawyer representing Sirisena stated in court yesterday (16th) that Sirisena will not be acting as the Chair of the SLFP hereafter and that he has no objection to the current Chair and Secretary of the SLFP.
“Conduct a thorough investigation on Namal’s degree” – A complaint from a social activist
Mawbima, Dinamina
A social activist, Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, submitted a complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (16th), to investigate and take legal action regarding the complaint made to the Keselwatta Police 11 years ago about the manner in which MP Namal Rajapaksa appeared for the legal examination.
Speaking to the media after submitting the complaint to the CID, the activist stated that Namal Rajapaksa appeared for the examination in a separate room from the other candidates with the help of two other lawyers.