Major stories in the Sinhala and Tamil press: September 21 – September 27

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 five main stories. The five stories were on the: (i) Sri Lankan national Sivarasa Anojan sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia; (ii) delivery of the verdict on the Easter Sunday attack case; (iii) Supreme Court determination on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill; (iv) NPP government completing two years in office and rallies held islandwide; and (v) impact of El Niño on Sri Lanka and inclement weather in several areas in Sri Lanka.

The Sinhala press exclusively featured one main story, and it was on the strikes and trade union action launched 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) 39th death anniversary of Rasaiah Parthipan (alias Thileepan).