17 March 2025 | Vol. 11, #46

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “[I was] only summoned as a witness; I completely reject the Batalanda report; since 2000, no party, including the JVP, requested a debate on it; I was implicated only in the matter of providing housing for police officers; the report also extensively documented the JVP’s terrorist activities between 1988 and 1990” – Ranil Wickremesinghe

Thinakaran: “The suspects of the Weligama shooting incident should not be arrested until the preliminary investigation is complete” – The attorney general instructs the CID; six CID teams to arrest Tennakoon | “The government will not allow any activity to take place that could affect health services” – Nalinda Jayatissa | The O/L examination begins today; an opportunity for prisoners and differently-abled candidates | The local government election: Nominations to be accepted from today until Thursday

Thinakkural: Ranil rejects the allegations on the Batalanda torture camp; “There are no direct allegations against me in the report; [it contains] a large amount of information on the JVP’s terrorist activities” – Ranil announces via a special statement | “Arrest Ranil immediately; the president has the power” – [The FSP] | [The parties of] Ranil and Sajith are not in favour of debating [in parliament on the Batalanda report]

Thamilan: Ranil completely rejects the Batalanda report! Alleges that it talks about the JVP | The Department of Posts prepared to launch a continuous strike; the first step taken yesterday evening | The Government Nursing Officers’ Association to also go on strike today | The O/L examination commences today

Lankadeepa: Six pilgrims who travelled to India contract unidentified disease; one patient admitted to Karapitiya with breathing difficulties; COVID-19 suspected; two labs conducting investigations | The report of the Batalanda Commission accuses 15 people | “I do not accept the report of the Batalanda Commission; it was appointed for political mudslinging” – Former President Ranil [Wickremesinghe]

Divaina: The group that “danced the devil” (wreaked havoc) in Medirigiriya, caught; 300 disruptors identified through CCTV; 10 arrested; a loss of 40 million incurred| “The Batalanda Commission was appointed for political mudslinging; the report mentions the JVP’s terrorist acts during the 88-90 period. There is nothing else relevant about me there” – Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Ada: “I fully reject the allegations in the report of the Batalanda Commission” – Wickremesinghe

Mawbima: The G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination begins today; invigilators in examination halls banned from using cell phones | “The government’s decision to fill 5,882 public sector positions requires the EC’s approval” – Rathnayake

Dinamina: The Medirigiriya musical show turns into a war zone: Six arrested; musical instruments and gear confiscated; The police report a loss of 5 million, the organising committee cites 40 million

Aruna: The IGP’s wife and son unaware of his whereabouts; statements provided to the CID; six police teams are searching for him

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only