DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: BASL unanimously rejects government’s decision; joint resolution passed at special general meeting opposing proposal to extend judges’ retirement age, calling it a threat to judicial independence and demanding a national referendum | High-level Indian foreign affairs representative to visit Sri Lanka Thinakaran: Protest at sea by Northern fisherfolk holding black flags against the destruction of marine livelihoods in the North due to Indian fisherfolk’s high-handedness; attention drawn by taking boats to Kurikadduwan; petition also submitted to the president | Plan to reduce recurrent expenditure and increase capital expenditure |
Thinakkural: Resolution passed to oppose government’s decision to increase judges’ retirement age; unanimous decision made at special general meeting of BASL attended by over 3,000 members | Chaminda Wijesiri to lose MP post | Major plot to attack Namal! Intelligence reports claim Thamilan: Extension of judges’ retirement age is anti-democratic!; BASL passes unanimous resolution | Chaminda [Wijesiri] MP appeals against prison sentence |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Imported beyond limits under the guise of the gazette: 1,200 onion containers stuck at the port; valued at Rs. 1 billion; 40 containers lack quality certificates; importers dodged; cannot be distributed for consumption nor destroyed; customs in a fix Divaina: Government proposal to extend retirement age of judges: We oppose: a referendum is essential – Lawyers of BASL gathered in Colombo unanimously express opposition to the government proposal | The government is on the right path: a correct step is being taken according to the mandate; we have not forgotten the past where stones were pelted against judicial rulings; such judicial service extensions exist in other countries as well – Lawyers of Jana Varama say unanimously
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Dinamina: Kataragama, Devinuwara and Sabaragamuwa Devalaya processions parade the streets | “Spending more on government maintenance is unjustifiable: every rupee received by the Treasury will be allocated for national development; recurrent expenditure will be reduced to increase capital expenditure; digitalisation of the public service expedited” – President says at Galle District Special Coordinating Committee meeting Aruna: Drinking liquor and sugary drinks amidst El Niño heat is fatal; risk of heatstroke – Ministry of Health |