Major stories in the Sinhala and Tamil press: September 14 – September 20

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) arrest of Namal Rajapaksa and the SLPP rally on September 12; (ii) NPP government completing two years in office and rallies held islandwide; (iii) 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill; (iv) impact of El Niño on Sri Lanka; (v) law being enforced against organised criminals and drug traffickers; and (vi) the law being enforced against groups of the previous governments.

The Sinhala press exclusively featured one main story, and it was on the organisation of a common opposition against the government.

The Tamil press exclusively featured six main stories, and they were on the: (i) exhumation of over 500 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; (v) 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC); and (vi) investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks.