22 May 2025 | Vol. 11, #85

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “Will reveal names of political parties linked to the underworld” – Minister Wijepala | Ranil and Maithri hold secret meeting | Keheliya’s son arrested | “I will urge the prime minister to withdraw the gazette” – MP Gajendrakumar
Ponnambalam | “Sufficient salt to be imported; find other things to criticise the government” – Minister Wasantha [Samarasinghe]

Thinakaran: “Sri Lankans must not be divided along ethnic lines again” – Minister Chandrasekar makes special appeal to Canadian high commissioner. Minister Chandrasekar emphasised national unity in a meeting with the Canadian high commissioner, and warned against ethnic divisions. He also raised concerns over the fishing community’s struggles, development efforts and livelihood issues in the North | Passport office to open in Jaffna very soon; instructions to expedite work | G.C.E. Advanced Level examination results: “Appropriate action  will be taken to ensure that students are not treated unfairly” – Prime minister

Thinakkural: “Please provide us with justice for the genocide and a permanent political solution” – MP Shritharan urges the Canadian high commissioner on behalf of the Eelam Tamils | “Today in the North, tomorrow in the East; the Land Settlement Ordinance must be torn up” – MP Nizam Kariyappar voices strong opposition | “Is the government attempting to dismantle the multi-party system and establish a one-party state?” – MP Sathyalingam questions | “We are not like the Rajapaksas and Ranil” – Minister Bimal addresses Tamil political parties | Shutdown of
factories owned by foreign investors leaves 2,000 people unemployed

Thamilan: Thousands lose jobs as Katunayake garment factory closes; U.S. tariff hike impacts industry | Ban on special decorations on buses: Strict action from July 1 | Compensation for ‘Next’ factory employees: Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe announces upcoming negotiations | 21,000 dengue cases reported with 10 deaths; red alert issued for 1,400 areas | “If factories close, a major crisis will erupt in 2028” – Sajith warns in parliament | Card payments now accepted on Sri Lanka’s expressways

Lankadeepa: A loss of Rs. 8 million caused by appointment of 15 individuals to unnecessary (merely nominal) posts; Keheliya’s son has influenced the sending of money to relatives – CIABOC informs the court; remanded till June 3 | Repairs necessary for the parliament, Presidential Secretariat and the Independence Square; water damage caused to the interior of the parliament; the Presidential Secretariat is deteriorating; the pillars of the Independence Square are cracked  

Divaina: Shooter involved in Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murder, who was in custody for three months, remanded; driver to be held in custody till May 23 | Keheliya’s son Ramith remanded till June 3 

Ada: Keheliya’s son also remanded over causing a loss of Rs. 8 million by appointing 15 individuals as merely nominal private assistants of Keheliya

Mawbima: Keheliya’s son Ramith has misappropriated money by using 15 names – A complaint from the CIABOC; suspect to be remanded till June 3 | CEB prevented from being broken into 16 parts: Act amendment to parliament tomorrow 

Dinamina: Keheliya’s son Ramith Rambukwella remanded: three cases filed by the CIABOC against the suspect 

Aruna: Used pampers are being seperated from garbage trucks in seven municipal councils in the Colombo District: if separated, they can be used to generate electricity – Kadirana waste yard

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only