Major stories in the Sinhala and Tamil press: June 22 – July 5

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

Over the past two weeks, the Sinhala and Tamil press converged in relation to five main stories. The six stories were on the: (i) revisions to the fuel prices; (ii) delays in filling the judges’ vacancies in higher courts; (iii) enforcing the law against politicians of past governments; (iv) escalation of the dengue epidemic in the country; and (v) plans to amend or repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The Sinhala press exclusively featured two main stories and they were on the: (i) National Poson Festival; and (ii)  farmer protests against the government demanding better prices for paddy.

The Tamil press exclusively featured five main stories, and they were on the: (i) excavation of over 412 skeletal remains at the Chemmani mass grave site; (ii) ongoing protests by displaced Tamil landowners in Valikamam North, Jaffna, and Keppapilavu, Mullaitivu, demanding the release of their 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) removal of the mayor of Vavuniya and the deputy chairperson of the Chavakachcheri Urban Council from their office.