DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: Ven. Gnanasara Thera granted bail by Court of Appeal; travel ban imposed | Was Makandura Madush’s money with Club Wasantha?; Minister Tiran Alles claims that Wasantha was a debtor when died | “Rs. 1,700 wage issue: New gazette to be released soon” –Senthil Thondaman | Police Inspector Abu Bakar, who was accused of aiding Sarah’s escape, has been released
Thinakaran: President Ranil Wickremesinghe unveils comprehensive financial package for MSMEs | ‘Aswesuma’ phase II: 75,000 applications accepted; review proceedings have commenced | “Port expressway to open for public use in October” – Minister Bandula Gunawardana | Fertiliser subsidy funds deposited in banks
Thinakkural: “Why is the Election Commission delaying action? Is it to give time to the government?” – Kiriella | “Will the president use new tactics if support wanes? He’s ready with gazette announcement to dissolve parliament” – SLPP independent MP Gamini Waleboda | Will Ranil contest in the presidential election under the swan symbol? | Millions in deals to lure supporters away from Sajith’s camp
Thamilan: Ven. Gnanasara Thera granted bail | “Ranil ready to dissolve parliament” – MP Gamini Waleboda | Yesterday, the president introduced a financial package aimed at reviving industry
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: Cosmetics container [suspiciously] dispatched: Four Customs higher-ups suspended | Will Deshabandu be allowed to continue as the IGP? Verdict to be made on July 24 | Online scammers have sent Rs. 50 billion to China: 34 including 31 Chinese nationals remanded
Divaina: “How Kanjipani fled the country was revealed: some lawyers have also aided the process; these lawyers have become a hindrance to the prevention of drug and underworld activities; will apprehend the two shooters of the Club Wasantha murder – they have not fled the country; all those who fled the country were brought back; will not be conducting investigations into the tattoo parlour incident; drugs worth Rs. 19 billion caught from the ‘Yukthiya’ mission” – Alles | Allegations regarding the Easter Sunday attack: Nilantha sent on compulsory leave until disciplinary investigations are concluded | Rs. 50 billion found in 45 accounts that made transactions illegally | “Discussions with the president are facing a crisis: a mission to disrupt the SLPP has been launched; if there is no other option, we will appoint a different candidate” – Kariyawasam | Destroying the assembly hall of King Buwanekabahu: Prison sentence of five individuals including the former mayor of Kurunegala reduced to one year
Ada: Rs. 50 billion sent to China from the online scam; Sri Lanka has become a hub and paradise for cyber criminals; the Eththukala hotel in Negombo in which the suspects are being held has been closed off to outsiders and the owner and the property of the hotel have been taken into custody; expert investigative teams to arrive from China and Singapore to aid the investigation into the suspects; the 37 suspects continue to be kept in remand
Mawbima: Ven. Gnanasara Thera who was imprisoned for four years, granted bail | Prison sentence of the former mayor of Kurunegala reduced to one year | “No need for the 22nd Amendment until the presidential election is done with” – Rajapakshe
Dinamina: “A financial aid package to revitalise large and small businesses: Investment loans up to Rs. 15 million at a concessionary interest rate of 7% to strengthen entrepreneurs” – President | Pictorial: Observation of the longest overhead bridge in Sri Lanka which will be completed immediately following national debt restructuring | “The Sangha is against the liquor store that is tarnishing the pride of Homagama” – Ven. Madowita Wajirabuddha Thera
Aruna: A mafia to increase the price of coconut oil: the price of a bottle has already been increased by Rs. 100 | “The 22nd Amendment will not be gazetted until the presidential election is concluded” – Rajapakshe | SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena sent on compulsory leave
Anidda: “There’s no two-thirds majority to go for a referendum for the 22nd Amendment; we will not vote for a referendum” – Kariyawasam
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
“Will the president use new tactics if support wanes? He’s ready with gazette announcement to dissolve parliament” – SLPP independent MP Gamini Waleboda
Thinakkural, Thamilan
“Next week, parliament will debate the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill. President Ranil Wickremesinghe plans to dissolve parliament if the bill fails. Should the amendment pass with a two-thirds majority, it could extend his term to six years and postpone the presidential election until November 2025. With rising public interest, some are backing the president and preparing for the next general election. If approved, the amendment might face legal challenges and plebiscites” stated MP Gamini Waleboda. He also views the delay of the presidential election as a strategic move to benefit the current government.
“There is no ban on providing funds for presidential elections” – Siyambalapitiya
Thinakaran, Thamilan
State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has confirmed that the Ministry of Finance is ready to fund the upcoming presidential election with Rs. 10 billion allocated in the 2024 Budget. The funds will cover costs like postage, printing and security, with additional funds available if needed. A meeting was held yesterday between Secretary of the Finance Ministry Mahinda Siriwardena and the Election Commission to discuss these arrangements.
Under President Wickremesinghe’s government the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) continues to be enforced – Human Rights Watch
Thinakkural, Thamilan
Human Rights Watch reveals that Sri Lankan authorities continue to apply the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against opponents and minorities, despite promises to end its use. The act has led to years of arbitrary detention and torture, with repressive measures persisting even after cases are dropped. The International Monetary Fund has criticised the act for hindering civil society’s efforts to investigate government corruption. Meenakshi Ganguly from Human Rights Watch highlights that the PTA is being used to marginalise communities and suppress dissent.
“The commission should hold elections immediately; it is necessary to provide an opportunity for the democratic right of the people” – MP Shritharan
Thinakaran
MP Sivagnanam Shritharan has urged the Election Commission to hold elections immediately to uphold the democratic rights of the people. Speaking at a media conference in Kilinochchi on July 17, he criticised the commission for cancelling the local government elections and emphasised the need to avoid further delays. Shritharan, representing the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), asserted that elections should be conducted without delay, as the democratic system allows people to choose their leaders.
“Rs. 1,700 wage issue: New gazette to be released soon” – Senthil Thondaman
Virakesari
Ceylon Workers’ Congress Leader Senthil Thondaman has pointed out issues with a gazette recommending a 1,700 rupee daily wage for plantation workers. The Supreme Court noted problems with the gazette but did not rule out the wage amount. Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara is working on a revised gazette. Thondaman criticised companies for distracting them from the wage increase issue and mentioned that a new notification is forthcoming.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: The Island
“No need for the 22nd Amendment until the presidential election is done with” – Rajapakshe
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Anidda
Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has instructed the secretary of the Ministry of Justice to refrain from publishing the gazette notification on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution until the presidential election is held. Rajapakshe claimed that the decision was made in order to eliminate any hindrance to the public’s freedom of using their right to vote.
“Discussions with the president are facing a crisis: a mission to disrupt the SLPP has been launched; if there is no other option, we will appoint a different candidate” – Kariyawasam
Divaina, Anidda
General Secretary of the SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam stated that the discussions that were held with President Ranil Wickremesinghe to decide how the SLPP will be pledging its support in the upcoming presidential election have been unsuccessful. Kariyawasam stated further that a mission to disrupt the SLPP has been launched, and that if there is no other option, the SLPP will opt for a candidate from the party itself. Anidda highlights that the SLPP decision on the presidential candidate will be revealed a week before the nominations are to be handed over following the official announcement of the presidential election.
Dayasiri, Thilanga and Roshan join Sajith’s SJB alliance
Anidda
MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, former MP Thilanga Sumathipala and MP Roshan Ranasinghe stated that they will be joining the alliance of the SJB which is to be established in the first week of August. Accordingly, the aforementioned individuals will be assigned the Kurunegala Panduwasnuwara seat, the position of the Kalutara District organiser and the position of the Polonnaruwa organiser of the SJB alliance respectively.
Only Sumanthiran’s faction is against the common candidate from the North
Anidda
It is reported that the ITAK faction led by MP M.A. Sumanthiran is the only faction that is against the proposal to appoint a common presidential candidate from the North. It is also reported that MP Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam also holds the same stance as Sumanthiran, while the other members of the party are in favour of the proposal.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Daily FT
Ven. Gnanasara Thera released on bail: Banned from leaving the country
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Court of Appeal yesterday (18th) ordered the release of the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Ven. Galabodaatte Gnanasara Thera on bail. The thera was imprisoned over the case of making hate speech by insulting the religious beliefs of the Muslim community during a press briefing related to the Kuragala Temple. Ven. Gnanasara Thera had been sentenced to four years’ rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court.
SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena sent on compulsory leave
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
The National Police Commission (NPC) has decided to place Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Nilantha Jayawardene, who is currently the senior DIG in charge of administration, on compulsory leave effective from July 18. NPC sources stated further that the senior police officer is being placed on compulsory leave to facilitate a disciplinary inquiry against him concerning the Easter Sunday attack.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “A financial aid package to revitalise large and small businesses: Investment loans up to Rs. 15 million at a concessionary interest rate of 7% to strengthen entrepreneurs” – President – Dinamina, Ada, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. “The presidential election is confirmed; we will not vote if a constitutional amendment is put forward” – Amaraweera – Mawbima, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. “The EC is paving the way for the government to play games” – Kiriella – Divaina, Thinakkural