Major stories in the Sinhala and Tamil press: July 20 – July 26

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) proposal to extend the retirement age of judges; (ii) death by suicide of high-profile individuals; (iii) reported rise of organised crime; (iv) economic situation of the country; (v) escalation of the dengue epidemic; and (vi) impact of the US-Israel and Iran war on Sri Lanka.

Only one story was featured exclusively in the Sinhala press, and it was on the problems faced by farmers over paddy purchasing.

The Tamil press exclusively featured five 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; (iv) problems faced by the Hill Country Tamil community and the increase in wages of plantation workers; and (v) formation of a political alliance by six Tamil and Muslim parties.