DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: “Responsibilities to be delegated to all under all 10 governing bodies” – President promises the 116 former PC members who pledged support to him | “We can join TNA, Rauff Hakeem and Rishad Bathiudeen to the government hereafter; we will recommend next week to nominate Ranil Wickremesinghe under the SLPP” – Namal Rajapaksa | “The decision of the SLPP cannot be accepted; I will commit to the victory of the president” – Prasanna Ranatunga writes to Mahinda Rajapaksa
Thinakaran: 116 former SLPP, UNP provincial council members pledge support to the president | CID probes former secretary who fraudulently used Minister Bandula Gunawardane’s credit card | SLFP Central Committee pledges fullest support to the president
Thinakkural: It is an attempt to hinder the election by not appointing an acting IGP; seek the decision of the Supreme Court immediately – SJB urges the Election Commission | Has the government lost its majority since the SLPP has been split?
Thamilan: Support for Ranil Wickremesinghe has increased; 116 former SLPP, UNP provincial council
members pledge support to him | Secretary to the president writes to the Election Commission on the security concerns over election activities | “Employment opportunities are given by violating the election laws” – Ranjith Madduma Bandara | “President Ranil Wickremesinghe must have talks with Mahinda Rajapaksa again to obtain the support” – Deputy Speaker urges | “I will work for the victory of Ranil Wickremesinghe” – Prasanna Ranatunga writes to Mahinda Rajapaksa
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: The SLPP or Ranil? Dinesh on the fence | Security for the presidential election: Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security writes to the EC
Divaina: “No change in the decision, a separate candidate to be presented from the SLPP; MPs were called to meet the president stating that it was a government party MP meeting” – Kariyawasam
Ada: The SLFP to also support Ranil: Nimal Siripala, Amaraweera and Duminda meet and communicate the stance of the party to the president; Ranil to receive the support of 10 (SLFP) MPs out of 14
Mawbima: Two T56s found in the possession of a mowlavi from Valaichchenai; 60 bullets, a sword and binoculars also found; a broad investigation into the suspects teaching in Nawalapitiya | Strictly follow directives on the use of state property – EC directs state officials
Dinamina:116 former provincial council members of the SLPP and UNP to support Ranil | “Do not table the Anti-Corruption Bill in the Cabinet before the presidential election” – Young MP urges president | Three special committees from the president to face the Iranian and world situation
Aruna: The death of the leader of Hamas also affects Sri Lanka; president appoints three committees | Nimal’s faction to support Ranil | Champika is sitting on the fence and waiting
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“We will recommend next week to nominate Ranil Wickremesinghe under the SLPP” – Namal Rajapaksa
Thinakkural, Virakesari
Thinakkural reports that SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa stated that if President Ranil Wickremesinghe agrees to contest under the symbol of the SLPP, it will be discussed and decided at his party’s political committee meeting.
Virakesari reports him as stating that a proposal to nominate President Ranil Wickremesinghe under the symbol of the SLPP will be made next week at the political committee meeting of his party.
“Tamil common candidate’s name to
be announced” – C.V. Wigneswaran
Thinakkural
Thamil Makkal Thesiya Kuttani (TMTK) MP C.V. Wigneswaran stated that the name of the prospective Tamil common presidential candidate will be announced within a week. He added that certain persons have been suggested for the nomination and the committee appointed for such matters will evaluate them. He further added that the committee will announce the prospective candidate’s name by next week.
Seek the decision of the Supreme Court immediately – SJB urges the Election Commission
Thinakkural
SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella stated that there are attempts being made to hinder the conduct of the election by not appointing an acting Inspector General of Police (IGP). He added that therefore the Election Commission must, without delay, seek the decision of the Supreme Court on the appointment of an acting IGP. He further added that the Election Commission must take action to file a petition before the Supreme Court in this regard.
Sajith Premadasa meets party leaders today
Virakesari, Thamilan
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa is to hold a meeting with the constituent party leaders of the SJB today (1st). Matters regarding the upcoming presidential election, formation of an SJB headed alliance to contest in the election and the current political affairs are to be discussed at the meeting. Invitations for the said meeting have been issued to all constituent party leaders to attend the meeting.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Daily FT
“Will not allow anyone who raised their hands to make wrong decisions that destroyed the country, into the NPP” – Dissanayaka
Divaina, Ada, Mawbima
Leader of the NPP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka stated that most of the MPs who are said to be forming an alliance with the SJB on August 8 had sought to join the NPP but were rejected due to their bad political history. Dissanayaka added that they refused to align with these MPs because the NPP does not want to take anyone who has raised their hands and supported wrong decisions which resulted in the destruction of the country. Dissanayaka made the statement at a farmers’ rally in Bulnewa, Anuradhapura.
“No matter who leaves the SLPP, the party members will not have any problem with it” – Johnston Fernando
Lankadeepa, Aruna
SLPP MP Johnston Fernando stated that whoever leaves the party, its rank and file members will remain. Speaking to the media, Fernando added that although it was reported that 92 MPs have pledged their support to President Wickremesinghe, this is not true at all. He added further that those who have joined hands with the president got elected to parliament only with the backing of Leader of the SLPP Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Douglas Devananda and EPDP to support Ranil
Dinamina
Media Spokesperson of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) Aiyathurai Sirirangeswaran stated that the party has decided to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in this year’s presidential election. Sirirangeswaran made the statement while attending a special press conference at the Jaffna Media Association Hall yesterday (31st). He emphasised that Leader of the EPDP Douglas Devananda has been elected by the people and has served continuously as a minister in this country for 30 years because the EPDP is always with the Tamil people of the North and East.
SLPP or Ranil? Dinesh on the fence
Lankadeepa
It is reported that Leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (People’s United Front) Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has not decided whom the party would be supporting at the 2024 Presidential Election. The paper further reports that not only is the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna an ally of the Sri Lanka People’s Freedom Alliance, an SLPP-led alliance, but also that Gunawardena was elected to parliament through the SLPP.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: The Island
The SLFP to also support Ranil: Nimal Siripala, Amaraweera and Duminda meet and communicate the stance of the party to the president; Ranil to receive the support of 10 (SLFP) MPs out of 14
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The SLFP faction led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva announced its decision to extend its support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election. The President’s Media Division (PMD) reported that the decision of the said faction was conveyed by the Central Committee of the SLFP during a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and that leader of the faction Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and MP Duminda Dissanayake were in attendance at the meeting. The SLFP expressed its unwavering support for the victory of the president, adding that 10 out of the 14 MPs representing the SLFP in parliament will render their support to Wickremesinghe.
116 former provincial council members of the SLPP and UNP to support Ranil
Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The President’s Media Division (PMD) reported that a group of 116 former Provincial Council (PC) members from the SLPP and the UNP pledged their commitment to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election. Addressing the gathering at the meeting where the decision of the PC members was announced, President Wickremesinghe stated that he decided to compete as a common candidate in order to take the country forward in an unbiased manner.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Sajith pays election deposit – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
2. “[I] will commit to Ranil’s success” – Prasanna [Ranatunga] writes to Mahinda [Rajapaksa] – Divaina, Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Leader of Hamas dies | President appoints three committees to reduce the effects of the death of the Hamas leader – Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan