DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: “Opposition parties are attempting to gain power by hindering peace; the strikes are being conducted to disrupt progress” – Wajira Abeywardana | Various services affected due to the public sector strikes; people encounter difficulties; schools come to a standstill | Photograph: Plantation workers protest in Colombo in front of the Planters’ Association building | A fortune for the officers who did not engage in strikes over the past two days; a salary increment and a certificate of commendation to be issued; cabinet approval to be granted | Seven arrested with regard to the murder of Club Wasantha
Thinakaran: “Those who reported for duty on July 8, 9 during the strikes are to receive a special salary increment; the cabinet approved the recommendation made by the president” – Bandula Gunawardana | “New laws against the sabotage of health and education services; the cabinet is paying attention to this matter as it is the duty and responsibility of the government to protect innocent students, patients and the clients of public services” – Bandula Gunawardana | The president commends the student who swam across the Palk Strait | “Sri Lanka will seek to balance ties with India and China” – Ali Sabry to Reuters | “The Hill Country estates will become villages; the gazette to be published soon” – Jeevan Thondaman
Thinakkural: “The presidential election will turn into a three-way battle; Sri Lanka will seek to balance ties with India and China” – Ali Sabry states in Singapore | Education services come to a standstill; the teachers’ and principals’ unions decide to continue the strikes
Thamilan: Special news: A new law to be enacted to control public officials! The cabinet to analyse the law and it will be brought to parliament soon | Shanmugam Kugathasan sworn in as a Trincomalee District MP | “How can a person who cannot manage a company govern the country?” – Jeevan Thondaman opposes Dhammika Perera | “There is a security threat against me and my family” – Shritharan complains in parliament
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: “The teachers’ strike causes schools to close | Maithripala, Amaraweera and Lasantha collide | The shooters who shot Club Wasantha, identified: Loku Pati, Gona Kovile Shantha and Rotambu Amila have been involved in the Dubai mission
Divaina: The murder of Club Wasantha was ordered by Kanjipani and planned by Loku Pati: The owner of the tattoo parlour had been paid Rs. 1.6 million solely to hold a ceremony and invite Club Wasantha; a group had launched a plan for the murder; the reason was an issue over some money given by Madush; seven including the owner of the tattoo parlour, arrested; the number plates of all getaway cars are counterfeit
Ada: Seven arrested over the murder of Club Wasantha: The owner of the tattoo parlour and those who provided vehicles to the murderers also among them; it was revealed that the plan was devised by Loku Pati and Gona Kovile Shantha who are in hiding in Dubai; Loku Pati has given Rs. 1.6 million to the owner to start the tattoo parlour and has requested that Club Wasantha be invited for the opening ceremony; the bullets were marked with the initials KPI to mislead the police into thinking that it was carried out by Kanjipani; eight T56 bullets found in Club Wasantha’s body and the firearm that his spouse had in her bag was an illegal weapon
Mawbima: Club Wasantha’s murder was carried out by Ahungalle Podi Pati: Seven including the owner of the tattoo parlour, arrested; the shooter had been brought from the South; Unakuruwe Shantha is also involved in the murder; the firearm that Club Wasantha’s spouse had in her possession was illegal | “A salary increment for state employees who reported for work on July 8 and 9: Give a letter of commendation as well” – A cabinet decision
Dinamina: The cabinet pays special attention to the strikes: A new law that prevents the disruption of education and health services | A special salary increment for state employees who did not get involved in the strikes: They are to also receive a certificate of commendation
Aruna: A salary cut for the depots in the South if an 80% profit is not achieved | Club Wasantha’s murderers fled in the vehicles provided by the underworld | The salaries of state employees who did not join the strikes to be increased | Rs. 100 for the first kilometre in three-wheelers
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: The Island
“Sri Lanka will seek to balance ties with China and India ” – Ali Sabry
Thinakaran, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Minister of Foreign Affairs M.U.M. Ali Sabry stated that Sri Lanka will seek to balance ties with its neighbour India and China to ensure that there is no difference in dealing with the two countries. He added that within a few weeks, Sri Lanka will wrap up talks with international bondholders on restructuring USD 12.5 billion in debt and noted that it is a major step for the island nation to emerge from its worst financial crisis in decades.
“The Hill Country estates will become villages; the gazette notification to be released soon” – Jeevan Thondaman
Thinakaran, Virakesari, Thamilan
Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman stated that the cabinet has approved the proposal put forward by the president to release a gazette notification declaring that the estates under the control of the companies are to be established as villages. Thondaman also accused SLPP MP Dhammika Perera of refusing to pay the daily wage of Rs. 1,700 to the plantation workers. He alleged that the three plantation companies belonging to Perera are still refusing to pay Rs.1,700 although they have earned an income of more than Rs. 3,000 million.
“There is a security threat against me and my family” – Shritharan
Virakesari, Thamilan
ITAK MP Sivagnanam Shritharan has complained in parliament stating that there is a security threat against him and his family. He demanded a guarantee from the speaker to ensure his family’s safety as well as his. He raised the complaint by pointing out the recent incident where a certain group of anonymous individuals had been roaming near his residence in Jaffna. He emphasised that 12 individuals roamed in a suspicious manner near his residence on four motorcycles in the morning on June 28, carrying sharp weapons.
“Conduct an immediate inquiry on the issue of the Chavakachcheri Hospital” – Shritharan
Virakesari, Thinakkural
ITAK MP Sivagnanam Shritharan emphasised that an inquiry must be conducted immediately on the complaints and accusations made by Acting Medical Superintendent of the Chavakachcheri Hospital Dr. Ramanathan Archuna and by the general public. He further questioned as to how the central government can use the powers delegated to a provincial government with regard to the health sector. He also noted that the public has raised its voice against the irregularities happening in the hospital and has demanded that the hospital’s needs be fulfilled.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Maithripala, Amaraweera and Alagiyawanna collide in parliament over the hand [SLFP]
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina
Former President Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mahinda Amaraweera and State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna had a heated exchange of words in parliament yesterday (9th) over the prevailing internal crisis of the SLFP. Sirisena voiced his suspicions about the involvement of the police in the matter and added that although various forces are trying to destroy the SLFP, the party will be rebuilt as a strong political movement in the country.
“The appointment of the AG does not have to be based on seniority” – The secretary to the president tells the BASL
Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina
In a letter to the secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake has pointed out that there is no constitutional requirement to appoint the most senior officer of the Attorney General’s Department to the position of attorney general (AG) and stressed that this has not happened previously either. It is further stated in the letter that the BASL should not represent only one person when there are other qualified candidates for the position of the AG.
Railway station masters on strike | “Will consider the station masters who are involved in the strike to have left the service” – The general manager of railways
Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina
The station masters of Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) have launched another strike at midnight on Tuesday (9th) based on several demands, including promotions. Accordingly, train operations have been severely disrupted owing to the strike. Issuing a statement, the general manager of railways announced that station masters who don’t report to work on Wednesday (10th) will be considered as having left the service.
Lease agreements cancelled for those that do not pay 1,700 to the estate workers
Dinamina
The government has decided to extend the lease agreements of plantation companies that pay a daily wage of Rs. 1,700 to plantation workers and to cancel the lease agreements of plantation companies that do not pay the gazetted daily wage. Minister Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara stated that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had put forward this proposal to the cabinet and the cabinet had approved the said proposal when it met yesterday (9th).
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Newswire
A special salary increment for the state employees who did not get involved in the strikes: They are to also receive a certificate of commendation
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardana stated that as a token of the government’s appreciation, it has been decided to award a special salary increment to government employees who did not participate in the strikes organised by several trade unions on July 8 and 9. A certificate of commendation will also be awarded to the same employees. President Ranil Wickremesinghe had put forward the relevant proposal to the cabinet and it had been approved by the cabinet yesterday (9th).
Numerous public services at a standstill due to the strikes; people encounter difficulties; school operations affected
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Numerous strikes launched by several trade unions have been taking place in the country recently. Accordingly, public services including education, transport and health have been severely affected. The newspapers report that all government institutions that carried out strikes inconvenienced the public and that all operations carried out by the said institutions have also come to a standstill. The newspapers also report that schools had to be closed due to the teachers’ strike that has been launched at present.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The shooters who shot Club Wasantha, identified: Loku Pati, Gona Kovile Shantha and Rotambu Amila have been involved in the Dubai mission – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. The cabinet pays special attention to the strikes: A new law that prevents the disruption of the education and health services – Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. Warrants issued to apprehend MP Raheem – Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Thinakaran