25 February 2025 | Vol. 11, #33

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “The 13 [13th Amendment] will remain without change; the new constitution will be drafted at the right time by also incorporating the opinion of the public” – The government | High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha meets Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha

Thinakaran: “Passport distribution to return to normal within a month; necessary steps taken to bring it back to normalcy; 24-hour services are provided at present due to the urgency of the public” – Ananda Wijepala | “13A will be implemented without any changes until a new constitution is brought in” – Nalinda Jayatissa | “Rs. 110 billion [allocated] for the salary increment of state employees” – Nalinda Jayatissa

Thinakkural: “Why do opposition parties panic when underworld groups fight? As they are calling for security, there must be a link between them and the underworld” – Ruling party MP Nipuna Arachchi | The death penalty to be implemented following murders? | Is India warning Ranil [Wickremesinghe] to not show off as if he is “India’s person” [supported by India]?

Thamilan: An end to criminal activities! At the national security council meeting, the president orders stern action to be taken | “Question [Senior DIG] Priyantha [Weerasooriya] over the murder of Sanjeewa; special focus is needed on national security” – Udaya Gammanpila | A special discussion to be held on Thursday on the local government election

Lankadeepa: The performance of the Ganemulle Sanjeewa murder, revealed: “The shooter had covered his face with a file while entering the courts; he shot Sanjeewa, placed the gun on the ground, opened the door and left” – Attorney-at-law Priyankara Pushpakumara

Divaina: “A mission launched to arrest 5,000 who have left the service of the army” – Secretary of Defence Sampath Thuyacontha | The investigation into the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa: “The Colombo chief magistrate questioned the prisons’ officer as to why this suspect was brought to the court without an order” – A constable of the Keselwatta Police

Ada: Why was Ganemulle Sanjeewa brought to court without an order? The shooter had been convinced to [commit] the murder via Facebook

Mawbima: Orders to arrest all soldiers who have fled the army | Ganemulle Sanjeewa: “Shots were fired just as the magistrate was asking why he was brought to the open court” – The magistrate provides evidence for the investigation

Dinamina: “Immediately arrest those who have deserted the service of the tri-forces” – Orders from the secretary of defence

Aruna: The investigation into the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa: Sanjeewa was shot just as the words “bail will not be placed” were spoken; the magistrate remained under the chair

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only