22 January 2025 | Vol. 11, #11

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: Nine military personnel, including seven army soldiers, arrested: Public security minister says action against organised crime continues | “Mahinda may leave immediately” – Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa | Investigate Sumanthiran: MP Shritharan requests in parliament | Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court orders legal action against MP Archuna | The United States decides to stop funding for the World Health Organisation; decides to withdraw from the organisation

Thinakaran: World Bank agrees to provide financial and technical assistance for key government projects: Martin Reiser, the regional vice president of the World
Bank for South Asia, confirms | “Court summons will soon be sent to the homes of those who embezzled public funds” – Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara | “‘Clean Sri Lanka’ is not a project aimed against anyone” – Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer stated in parliament | “This year’s budget will aim to further expand the economy” – President | United States halts funding and withdraws from the World Health Organisation

Thinakkural: “Major conspiracy against me; Sumanthiran must also be investigated” – MP Shritharan demands justice in parliament | “Government did not obstruct MP Shritharan; thorough investigation will be held” – Minister Bimal Rathnayake | Court orders Anuradhapura Police to arrest MP Archuna | “Travel ban is a massive injustice” – Rauff Hakeem on MP Shritharan’s issue | “Thajudeen and Lasantha’s killer speaks about the murders”: Government faction engages in heated argument with Namal in parliament | “Anura has forgotten that I am Mahinda, and yes I am ready to leave” – Mahinda, in a fierce rage

Thamilan: Conspiracy behind travel ban: MP Shritharan complains in parliament, demands investigation into Sumanthiran | Government announces investigation into Shritharan’s complaint | “Shritharan has been treated unfairly” – Hakeem points out in parliament | Controversy erupts in parliament over MP Namal | “You will seek security in another six months” – MP Chamara Sampath tells the government

Lankadeepa: The ‘Professor’ title removed from Minister Abeysena’s name on the [parliament] website; “I do not work in the university anymore, so I asked for it to be removed” – Chrishantha Abeysena

Divaina: “Former president Mahinda must leave the residence; there’s nothing to inform; this practice is common for all former presidents and widows of former presidents that use these residences” – Nalinda Jayatissa

Ada: “29,000 criminal files found at the CID; will establish the FCID and commence investigations into financial crimes” – Ananda Wijepala

Mawbima: Approval sought to import 200 million coconuts from abroad | Two pairs of tusks missing from the Saman Devala in Ratnapura; keys of the chests including gold, silver, pearls and gems also missing

Dinamina: “29,000 files related to crimes like bribery and corruption that were swept under the carpet, found” – Ananda Wijepala

Aruna: A coconut shortage during the first four months: 200 million coconuts [to be brought] from abroad

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only