Major stories in the Sinhala and Tamil press: Jan.20 – 26

Over the past week, the Sinhala and Tamil press converged in relation to four main stories. The four stories were on the: (i) president’s statement on the privileges afforded to former presidents; (ii) shortage of rice in the country; (iii) implementation of the Clean Sri Lanka programme; and (iv) inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the U.S. There were two main stories featured exclusively in the Sinhala press. They were on the: (i) passing away of Victor Ivan, the former editor of the Ravaya newspaper and (ii) reported rise in underworld crime. The Tamil press exclusively featured three main stories, and they were on the: (i) drafting of a new constitution; (ii) calls for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act; and (iii) calls to secure better economic conditions for the Hill Country Tamil community.