DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: Conduct the election quickly – UNP appeals to the Election Commission | President submits a cabinet paper for the exclusive security arrangements for former presidents and presidential candidates | Pictorial: President meeting the Hill Country party leaders
Thinakaran: “Our vision is to transform the Western Province into a bustling metropolis accommodating five million residents; plans are underway to implement a housing programme for estate residents in the near future; government has undertaken revolutionary measures” – President | Sri Lanka opens an embassy in Romania | Three Sri Lankans are missing after an oil tanker capsizes off Oman
Thinakkural: “A huge plot has been devised to abolish the constitution of the country; people do not get deceived” – Sajith Premadasa | JVP appeals to the Election Commission to not delay the announcement for the election | When will Mahinda Rajapaksa announce the presidential candidate? | “Bloodshed is likely to occur if there is an attempt to postpone the election” – Maithripala Sirisena
Thamilan: Voting right for prisoners; a petition was filed before the Supreme Court to provide the opportunity for those who are in remand | Government printer seeks police security for ballot printing | A mango was sold for rupees six million at an auction | Exclusive security arrangements for presidential candidates; president takes action | The person who hindered the meeting of minister of health by posting it live on Facebook live arrested
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: Lawyer remanded for providing incorrect affidavit | A Rs. 170 million tax scam on Customs: Customs chief to court against the company | Ambalangoda heated again over the murder of the cricketer
Divaina: The underworld is behind the murder of the cricketer: A result of the Kosgoda Sujee-Balapitiye Dilshan feud; had come from Dubai to renew visa; threats received for bribes after the selling of the Ambalangoda hotel; police had issued advice to take safety measures
Ada: Prisoners in remand need their right to vote: A petition from an individual in remand prison; one is innocent until proven guilty; UN human rights policy also states that prisoners also be considered human and that maximum support must be given to them
Mawbima: Advice sought from the AG to reduce the prices of goods that have not reduced even after fuel and electricity prices have been reduced | The murder of the former cricketer is also the work of the Southern underworld: Initial investigations reveal
Dinamina: Defendant who was accused of contempt of court and deprived of practising the legal profession remanded; another case for stealing a file from the Court of Appeal; reconsideration of the case on August 28 | “With the support of several parties, including the Popular Front, President Ranil will be the common candidate for this year’s presidential election” – UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijayawardena says in Henegama
Aruna: Wilmar sued for tax evasion of Rs. 170 million when importing sugar | Rs. 10 billion has been approved for the presidential election | Ranil requests special security for presidential candidates
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Lanka News Web
“It is important to recognise the estates as villages” – Jeevan Thondaman
Virakesari, Thinakaran
Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman stated that the plantation areas will be brought under public administration through the project of converting estate housing areas into villages. He added that the people of estate areas will be entitled to obtain the same level of services and respect as those in rural areas. He further added that the land title settlement project for the estate people will also be carried out easily through such a system, and that the other existing issues of those people will also be resolved as a result.
“A fair investigation will be carried out into the issue of the Chavakachcheri Hospital” – Ramesh Pathirana
Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Thinakaran reports that Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana stated that a fair investigation will be carried out with regard to the issue of the medical superintendent in charge of the Chavakachcheri Base Hospital. Thinakkural reports him as stating at the same occasion that the current acting medical superintendent of the Chavakachcheri Base Hospital will remain in the same position.
“A huge plot has been devised to abolish the constitution” – Sajith Premadasa
Thinakkural
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stated that certain elements are acting in such a way that demolishes and violates the constitution of the country, and that none can violate the constitution which is the supreme law of the country. He added that they have misled the country by creating confusion among the people. He also appealed to the people to not get deceived by such fallacies.
Do not deprive their right to land – TPA expresses to the president
Virakesari
The representatives of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) expressed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe that the Hill Country people should not be deprived of their right to land. They expressed this concern considering the concept of the president to convert the estates into villages under the theme ‘New Village Settlement in the Estates’. They also expressed their disagreement with the president over converting line houses into villages and appealed to the president to support their demand of removing 200,000 estate families from the estate administration system.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: www.lankadeepa.lk
Advice sought from the AG to reduce the prices of goods that have not reduced even after fuel and electricity prices have been reduced
Ada, Mawbima
The Consumer Affairs Authority of Sri Lanka is seeking to investigate as to why the prices of goods have not reduced even after the reduction of fuel, gas and electricity prices. The Consumer Affairs Authority states that it will take measures to resolve this unfair treatment of consumers.
Mawbima highlights a statement by the chair of the Consumer Affairs Authority that advice as to how these measures can be taken will be sought from the Attorney General (AG).
“8,000 observers for the election” – PAFFREL
Divaina
Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi stated that 8,000 election observers will be deployed to monitor the upcoming presidential election. He stated that 40% of polling stations will be staffed with stationary observers, while, additionally, mobile observers are expected to be deployed islandwide. Hettiarachchi also said 200 mobile monitoring units will be utilised islandwide.
“Prices of goods can be reduced by 20%” – Wijesekera
Mawbima
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera stated that there is potential for a reduction of approximately 20% in the prices of goods and services in the market following the revision of electricity prices. Wijesekera further urged the business community to alleviate the burden on the public by lowering prices, starting from midnight on the day of the electricity price adjustment, coinciding with the reduction in electricity tariffs.
Who will join the presidential battle?
Divaina
Former President and SLFP Leader Maithripala Sirisena stated that MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe will be the presidential candidate of the SLFP. Member of the Mawbima Janatha Party Dilith Jayaweera stated that he will be competing in the election owing to his love for the country and its culture. Leader of the Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) Patali Champika Ranawaka stated that his decision regarding the election will depend on the response of Leader of the SJB Sajith Premadasa. Executive member of the Jana Aragala Sandhanaya Wasantha Mudalige stated that an individual with leftist ideologies will be competing in the presidential election from their party against the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that have restricted the country.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Ada Derana
A committee to increase security for presidential election candidates
Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has submitted a cabinet paper for the approval of the Cabinet to ensure the safety of the candidates for the upcoming presidential election. The proposal suggests the appointment of a committee to conduct threat assessments and provide necessary security for the candidates as well as former presidents. The president has also suggested that a deputy inspector general of police be appointed to oversee all security arrangements.
Diana withdraws petition against the SJB
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Thamilan
Former State Minister and SJB MP Diana Gamage has withdrawn the petition she filed before the Supreme Court (SC) challenging the decision of the SJB to revoke her party membership. The former minister’s attorney had sought to withdraw the petition, stating that Gamage did not intend to proceed with the case.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “Wijeyadasa will be competing from the SLFP” – Sirisena – Divaina, Thinakkural
2. A petition requesting the right to vote for those in remand prison – Divaina, Ada, Thamilan
3. Hold the presidential election soon – UNP – Ada, Mawbima, Virakesari