Major stories in the Sinhala and Tamil press: July 27 – August 2

Highlights the differences and nuances in reporting between Sinhala and Tamil newspapers

Over the past week, the Sinhala and Tamil press converged in relation to six main stories. The six stories were on the: (i) annual Esala Perahera of the Upulvan Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya, Devinuwara; (ii) cabinet decision to extend the retirement age of judges; (iii) protests in India by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP); (iv) escalation of the dengue epidemic; (v) adverse impact of El Niño on Sri Lanka; and (vi) reported rise in conflicts among organised crime gangs.

Only one story was featured exclusively in the Sinhala press, and it was on the protests against the government by paddy farmers.

The Tamil press exclusively featured four main stories, and they were on the: (i) exhumation of over 475 skeletal remains at the Chemmani mass grave site; (ii) ongoing protests in Valikamam North, Jaffna, and Keppapilavu, Mullaitivu, demanding the release of privately-owned lands; (iii) demands for accountability and justice concerning past atrocities, including enforced disappearances; and (iv) problems faced by the Hill Country Tamil community and the increase in wages of plantation workers.