DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: “The matter of research vessels was not discussed during [President Anura’s] visit to India” – Santosh Jha | Photograph: Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha meets Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne
Thinakaran: Japan to continue financial, technical assistance to Sri Lanka | “Aswesuma”: Rs. 6,000 allowance for other eligible students
Thinakkural: “A big impact due to the three-month delay; Ranil’s budget should be presented; otherwise, the country will be pushed back into an economic crisis” – Wajira Abeywardana | 13 families in Tamil Nadu submit petition requesting [the government] to send them back to Sri Lanka
Thamilan: “Easter Sunday attacks: Investigations from a new angle!” – Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala | “The party that profited from the sale of rice earned Rs. 6,540 million” – D.V. Chanaka
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: Rs. 50 billion of the Samurdhi fund has been misused; concealed from the audit as well | A potato scam in the harbour; potatoes sold at an extremely low price
Divaina: Two gangs in Mount Lavinia collide; [the shooter] came, shot and left at 3.45 am; two lives sacrificed
Ada: The government awards compensation for 17 who suffered disabilities due to substandard medicine; 12 patients awarded compensation of Rs. 1 million each
Mawbima: A lecture at the University of Peradeniya was halted as it challenged the policy of the new government; the opposition leader criticises [the decision] in parliament | “The government does not approve the hindering of one’s freedom of speech” – Nalinda Jayatissa | The nominations for the LG election rendered invalid; the gazette issued; the bill to be brought to parliament tomorrow
Dinamina: Legal action to be taken against medicine scammers – the cabinet decides; compensation for 17 who suffered damages to eyesight
Aruna: Sri Lanka to export poultry to China | Compensation for 17 who lost their sight due to substandard medicine
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
A committee to be appointed on MP Ramanathan Archchuna’s concerns
Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Independent Group 17 MP Ramanathan Archchuna has raised concerns that he was not allocated time to address the parliament. Raising a point of order, the MP questioned as to how they could be expected to move the country forward together if the opposition does not even allot time to address the parliament.
Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka claimed that they are awaiting the speaker’s advice on this matter as the opposition had informed the speaker in writing about it. Responding to his concern, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne stated that as per the matter raised by the chief opposition whip, they have decided to form a committee to investigate Ramanathan’s accusation. He added that the next steps will be taken after the committee is formed and its report is received.
Re-establishment of checkpoints in Jaffna raises concerns
Thinakkural
The sudden re-establishment of checkpoints in Jaffna, which had been in place for a long time and then removed, has caused suspicion and fear among the public. Checkpoints had been set up at various locations during and after the war. Representatives of political parties and the general public had been demanding the removal of these checkpoints for a long time. All checkpoints that had been established were immediately removed when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited Jaffna following the appointment of the new government. However, it is reported that those checkpoints are now being re-established in the same locations.
“Issues regarding research vessels were not discussed during [President Anura’s] visit to India” – Santosh Jha
Thinakaran, Virakesari
Addressing a media conference, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha stated that while the proposed bilateral Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA) was discussed during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India, nothing has been finalised yet. Virakesari quoted the high commissioner as also stating that no issues were discussed during the president’s visit to India on research vessels visiting Sri Lanka. Jha noted that, however, Dissanayake assured India that Sri Lanka would never allow anyone to use Sri Lanka’s airspace, land and sea against India.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Newswire
“Refund the withholding tax for retirees” – The president issues directives to the Ministry of Finance
Lankadeepa, Mawbima
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a discussion with officials from the Ministry of Finance at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (7th), focusing on issues related to withholding tax, vehicle imports, and the digitalisation of the VAT collection. During the discussion, the president directed the finance ministry officials to refund the withholding tax for non-taxable retirees. While expressing optimism about economic recovery, the president reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting citizens amidst challenges.
Two gangs in Mount Lavinia collide; [the shooter] came, shot and left at 3.45 am; two lives sacrificed
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna
A shooting occurred during the early hours of the morning in Watarappala, Mount Lavinia, resulting in two deaths. One individual immediately succumbed to his injuries while the other succumbed to his injuries later that day. The police stated that the shooting targeted two individuals who were staying at a house. The shooting is reported to have taken place around 3.45 am, with two unidentified shooters arriving on a motorcycle and opening fire.
Bus trade unions to decide whether a strike will be launched or not; the decision to be made today
Divaina, Ada, Aruna
The bus trade unions have focused their attention on launching a joint strike after midnight tonight (8th) to protest against the unfair prosecution of buses by the traffic operation implemented by the police in conjunction with the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. Chairperson of the Private Bus Owners’ Association Gemunu Wijeratne stated that all private bus owners’ associations will meet in Colombo today (8th) for a discussion to make the final decision on this matter.
The health and mass media ministries to sign several agreements with the Chinese government
Dinamina
In order to further develop the cooperation between Sri Lanka and China, the government has decided to sign several memoranda of understanding and agreement between several institutions of the Ministries of Health and Mass Media and the People’s Republic of China. Another proposal was also put forward to sign an agreement between the Department of Government Information and China’s Xinhua News Agency. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and China Media Group, and another between the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and China Media Group are to be signed as well.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: News.lk
Legal action to be taken against medicine scammers – the cabinet decides; compensation for 17 who suffered damages to eyesight
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated in parliament yesterday (7th) that the cabinet has approved granting compensation to 17 patients who had developed complications after undergoing cataract surgery at the Nuwara Eliya District Hospital. The minister added that a number of patients who underwent cataract surgery at the Nuwara Eliya District Hospital lost their eyesight, with some being rendered completely blind. Jayatissa further stated that a committee headed by an additional secretary to the Ministry of Health had been appointed to investigate the matter, and its report has been submitted. Accordingly, 17 patients are to receive compensation, out of whom 12 would receive compensation worth Rs.1 million each.
“Investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks have commenced under a new phase” – Ananda Wijepala
Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Speaking in parliament yesterday (7th), Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala stated that with the arrival of the new government, investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks have commenced under a new phase. He added that accordingly, 747 suspects have been arrested so far following investigations conducted by the CID and the Counter-Terrorism and Investigation Division in connection with the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Unofficial discussions to merge the UNP and the SJB | An SJB-UNP coalition for the LG election | “There is a possibility for the UNP and the SJB to be united” – Madduma Bandara – Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. “It is suitable to permit the importation of new vehicles in a way that does not reduce the prices of existing vehicles” – The CBSL governor – Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Dinamina, Virakesari
3. “JICA will provide continued financial and technological support to Sri Lanka” – The JICA deputy chair informs the president | JICA praises the Clean Sri Lanka initiative – Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
4. The nominations for the LG election rendered invalid; the bill gazetted – Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan