Major stories in the Sinhala and Tamil press: Mar.9 – Mar.22
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 four main stories. The four stories were on the: (i) shortage of fuel and the reintroduction of the fuel quota system; (ii) reported shortage of gas in the country; (iii) gazette issued to dissolve the Ceylon Electricity board (CEB); and (iv) escalation of war between US-Israel and Iran.
The Sinhala press exclusively featured three main stories, and they were on the: (i) compilation of the Nekath Seettuwa (schedule of auspicious times) for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year; (ii) alleged importation of substandard coal; and (iii) on the president referring to Sri Lanka as a “hunduwa” (a small tin used to measure rice) in his parliament speech
The Tamil press exclusively featured five main stories, and they were on the: (i) demands for accountability and justice concerning past atrocities, including enforced disappearances and mass graves; (ii) opposition to the Mahaweli L Scheme and the Kivul Oya project; (iii) calls to hold the Provincial Council (PC) Elections without delay; (iv) concerns facing the Hill Country Tamil community including housing and wages of plantation workers; and (v) government’s foreign policy stance, including on balancing between India and China.
0 Comments