DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: “I salvaged the ship that was about to sink; will it be given again to the sailors who fled?; only the people must determine” – President | Pictorial: President is attending the first public rally at Matara yesterday | “Debt restructuring agreement of the government is wrong” – S.M. Marikkar
Thinakaran: Government has decided to provide a special monthly allowance of Rs. 25,000 for the government executive category staff; gazette notification has been published for it to be effective from today | “Let’s leave individualism and partisanship aside; let’s move forward for the nation; learn from me how to unite all parties and build up the nation; you can play politics thereafter” – President expressed to the Opposition and initiated a new political journey in Matara yesterday
Thinakkural: Ranil Wickremesinghe is to contest as an independent candidate in the presidential election; he is to appeal in writing for support from all parties | 12 MPs including the presidential candidate will join Sajith Premadasa | Seven constituent parties of the SLPP are to join Ranil Wickremesinghe; there is also an attempt to split the SJB | Fuel prices are to be reduced
Thamilan: “I brought the Titanic ship ashore; I rescued those who were about to drown and die” – Ranil Wickremesinghe announced at the rally in Matara | Parinda Ranasinghe is to be appointed as the acting AG today | Cyber money fraudulence; 31 Chinese individuals were arrested and remanded till 5th | Bus fares have been reduced | Validity period of passports has been extended
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: Statement by minister of justice: Judicial assembly in Colombo | The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption launches investigation into Diana for enjoying parliamentary and ministerial privileges
Divaina: An ‘ocean of tears’ flows from a fatal bottle: Five deceased, survivors in critical condition
Ada: Arrest of two naval intelligence officers linked to 191 kg drug [smuggling] racket
Mawbima: The bottle that came floating with the tide takes the lives of five fisherfolk | ‘Devon 5’ returns to Tangalle with lifeless bodies | 197 foreigners who hid in Sri Lanka and ‘cleaned out’ [defrauded] wealthy overseas accounts nabbed | Is Sri Lanka a cybercrime stronghold?
Dinamina: Fuel prices reduced again
Aruna: Five fisherfolk dead after drinking from the bottle that came floating with the tide | Another at death’s door | Navy embarks on rescue operation
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: The Island
“12 members from the government will join us” – Ranjith Madduma Bandara
Virakesari, Thinakkural
Virakesari reports that SJB MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that 12 members of the government are to join the SJB within the next couple of weeks.
Thinakkural reports, without mentioning the name, that a spokesperson of the SJB stated that 12 members including the presidential candidate have engaged in negotiations to join the SJB, and that there are two general secretaries of two major parties and three leaders of minor parties among such members to join.
“Harsha de Silva is attempting to defeat Sajith Premadasa” – Manusha Nanayakkara
Virakesari, Thinakkural
Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara stated that the behaviour of SJB MP Harsha de Silva shows his plan to
topple Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. He added that such behaviour by Harsha de Silva, who is a member of the economic committee of the SJB, is a curse for both the SJB and Premadasa.
“The debt restructuring agreement is wrong” – S.M. Marikkar
Virakesari, Thinakkural
SJB MP S.M. Marikkar stated that the debt restructuring agreement and proposal initiated by the government is wrong, because the creditors have not agreed to the 28% discount as claimed by the government. He added that although 51% debt relief for Argentina and 38% debt relief for Ghana were provided, Sri Lanka has been provided only 7% discount, which has affected the debt resettlement, and that all such moves of the government are only for the sake of a single person and his electoral benefits.
“No use in talking about a Tamil common candidate” – Shanakiyan
Virakesari
ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam stated that it should be understood that there is no use in talking about nominating a Tamil common candidate at this juncture when it is reportedly stated that there are secret attempts being made to postpone the presidential election as well as the general election.
“Indian fisherfolk can legally enter hereafter; a new law to be passed” – Herman Kumara
Thinakkural
Head of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NFSM) Herman Kumara stated that it has been provided in the proposed new Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Amendment Bill that a foreign person can also fish in Sri Lankan waters. He added that if such an amendment bill is passed, it will pave the way for Indian fisherfolk to enter into Sri Lankan seas, which will destroy the maritime resources of our country.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
JSASL convenes in Colombo in response to minister of justice’s statements
Ada, Lankadeepa, Divaina
The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL), representing District Court judges and magistrates nationwide, convened a Special General Meeting (SGM) yesterday (30th) in Colombo. The meeting was prompted by concerns raised by its members regarding detrimental remarks targeting judicial decisions, judges and related matters. The JSASL called for this meeting following speeches by the minister of justice and several members of parliament on June 19, 2024, during a parliamentary session. Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has also formally requested the Speaker to summon key JSASL officials to the Powers and Privileges Committee of Parliament. During the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that the association would support its officials and stand united against any attempts to isolate them.
Public transport made an essential service
Dinamina, Ada, Divaina
An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued by order of the president declaring public transportation services and the maintenance and provision of related facilities as essential services. This notification, issued under the authority vested in the president by Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979, designates passenger and freight transport services, as well as the upkeep of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, culverts and railways, as essential under the law. The extraordinary gazette, signed by the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, took effect from June 29.
Black flags to be raised in protest against the president’s proposal to make teaching an essential service
Aruna, Divaina, Ada
The Teachers-Principals Trade Union Alliance has decided to display black flags at all schools today (1st) in protest of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to designate the teaching profession as an essential service. Additionally, the alliance plans to join parents in a collective protest in front of all schools tomorrow (2nd) in opposition to this proposal.
Compared to 2019, the printing costs of this year’s election will be four times more – Department of Government Printing
Aruna
The Department of Government Printing notified the Election Commission that the expenditure on printing for this year’s upcoming presidential election will be quadruple the amount spent on printing during the 2019 Presidential Election.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“Let’s leave individualism and partisanship aside, moving forward together for the country” – President
Dinamina, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised the importance of unity and prioritising the nation over individual or party interests for progress. Speaking at the first rally in the “Victory through Unity” (Ekwa Jayagamu) series organised by Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera and titled “Victory through Unity – Matara District” (Ekwa Jayagamu – Api Matara), held at Matara Fort Grounds yesterday (30th), the president highlighted his administration’s efforts over the past two years. He stressed the need for collective commitment to advance the nation’s political journey for everyone’s benefit. Wijesekera also spoke, noting that the country needs leaders who unite and make sound decisions for the people, and asserted that such leadership is exemplified by Ranil Wickremesinghe. He added that following the presidential election announcement, a significant group of the SLPP is ready to support President Wickremesinghe.
Parinda Ranasinghe Jr to be appointed acting attorney general
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Ada, Divaina, Thamilan
Senior Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe Jr PC will serve as the acting attorney general, set to take oaths today (1st). President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed Parinda Ranasinghe PC on June 28 to assume the role, following the retirement of Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam PC. This appointment is effective from June 28 until July 11.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Bus fares reduced by 5.27% – Dinamina, Ada, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. Fuel prices reduced again – Dinamina, Ada, Thinakkural
3. “A two-day parliamentary debate will be held regarding the debt restructuring process” – Ranatunga – Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
4. “The only qualification Sajith Premadasa has to be a party leader is that he is the son of a former president” – Dissanayake – Dinamina, Thinakaran