DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: Government apologises for COVID-19 compulsory cremation policy; Cabinet approves the proposal submitted by Ali Sabry, Jeevan Thondaman and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe | Pictorial: Black July commemoration held in front of the Borella cemetery roundabout
Thinakaran: Relief for those who pawned gold jewellery in banks during the economic crisis; an annual interest relief of 10% for advances below Rs. 100,000; Cabinet approves the proposal of the president | Government condemns threats to SLBC Chairperson Hudson Samarasinghe | Hudson Samarasinghe lodges a complaint on the death threat against him; cyber crimes division launches investigations
Thinakkural: Nominate Ranil Wickremesinghe as the presidential candidate of the SLPP! Otherwise, we will oppose – SLPP heads of 12 districts decide and obtain the support of 75 MPs | “30 MPs to join us on August 8; an agreement for a new SJB headed alliance also to be signed” – Ranjith Madduma Bandara | “Ranil Wickremesinghe applies threats on the judiciary” – Vijitha Herath
Thamilan: SLPP fragmented! Majority of members support Ranil Wickremesinghe; a strong condemnation made against nominating Dhammika Perera | “Parliament will not be dissolved before the presidential election” – Bandula Gunawardana | We do not need financial assistance; give us justice, government! – Relatives of disappeared persons scream on Black July day | “I apologise for the Black July riots” – Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe | July riots of 1983 commemorated in the House
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: A split in the SLPP: One group to support the president while the other group demands a different candidate | A Rs. 3.5 billion scam: Four including three higher-ups of pyramid schemes remanded | Cremation of bodies affected by COVID: The government apologises to the Muslim community | A relief on interest for those that have pawned gold in banks
Divaina: 22 OICs removed from their posts: Immediate transfers for 47 |Presidential Election 2024: The gazette is ready – Sources from the EC | “We will announce our candidate when the date of the election is announced” – Mahinda Rajapaksa | “No influence from the government” – Janaka Wakkumbura | “The Samagi Jana alliance to be launched on August 8 with the addition of 30 other MPs” – Madduma Bandara | [We want] no one else except Ranil – 12 SLPP district leaders state strictly
Ada: “The printing cost for the presidential election is Rs. 600 to Rs. 800 million; the printing of papers related to the census of government officials in the presidential election has been completed; the government press has enough paper for two elections” – Government printer
Mawbima: We want no one else but Ranil – 12 reach decision following secret meeting | Government apologises for the burial of Muslims who died due to COVID
Dinamina: Relief for those that pawned their gold in banks; an interest subsidy of up to 10% per annum for advances not exceeding Rs. 100,000 | “Threats to journalists are condemned: JVP Wasantha’s statement threatens Hudson’s life” –Gunawardena
Aruna: Pawning gold jewellery has increased due to the economic crisis: Relief from the government for those that pawned jewellery | 1.1 million acres of coconut fall victim to the Whitefly
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: The Island
“I apologise for the Black July riots” – Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reofrms Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe stated that he, as a citizen of the country, apologises to the Tamil people for the Black July riots that took place 41 years ago. He added that July 23, 1983 is a black mark for Sri Lanka, and the incidents carried out against the Tamil people resulted in considerable effects on them. Minister Rajapakshe also extended his apology to the Muslim people for the compulsory cremation of those who died due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black July riots commemorated in the House; relatives of the disappeared stage a protest in Jaffna
Thamilan
ITAK MP Charles Nirmalanathan commemorated the 41st anniversary of the riots conducted in Sri Lanka against the Tamil people. He emphasised in his commemoration address that although brutal attacks had been launched against the Tamil people for three consecutive days 41 years ago, no justice has been granted to the Tamil people to date. At the same time, the relatives of disappeared persons conducted a call-attention protest in Jaffna yesterday (23rd), the Black July day. They voiced slogans such as “Where are our relatives?”, “We want justice!” and “Do not deceive us by giving financial assistance, government!”
“President Ranil Wickremesinghe applies threats on the judiciary” – Vijitha Herath
Thinakkural, Thamilan
NPP MP Vijitha Herath stated that the statements of President Ranil Wickremesinghe seem to be challenging the courts and the judicial power of the country. He added that the president stating “the jurisdiction of the courts will be reviewed by parliament” is a threat being applied on the courts, and that the threatening of the judiciary by the executive will create a range of crises in the country.
“Tamil and Muslim people must join together” – Anandasangaree
Thinakaran
General Secretary of the Tamil United Liberation Front V. Anandasangaree stated that it is high time the Tamil and Muslim people joined together under the common terms of Tamil speaking people. He added that his party is prepared for such a move to create unity among the Tamil and Muslim communities. He further added that it is the responsibility of Tamil and Muslim people to join together since there are crucial elections to come.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Ada Derana
22 OICs removed from their posts: Immediate transfers for 47
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna
The police headquarters has taken measures to transfer 47 Officers-In-Charge (OICs) of the police with immediate effect. IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon issued the order to be put into effect from yesterday (23rd) on the approval of the National Police Commission (NPC). According to the police headquarters, 22 OICs have been stripped of their posts and sent on general duties due to infractions of indiscipline and inefficiency.
Proposals called to address government service salary discrepancies
Divaina, Mawbima
The Specialist Committee to Address Salary Discrepancies in the Government Service has announced that it is now accepting proposals for revising salaries and allowances of the government service. Accordingly, the President’s Media Division (PMD) has issued a press release with the instructions on how the public may present their proposals to address the issue.
“My responsibility is to get a suit sewn for the suitable candidate” – Namal Rajapaksa
Mawbima
National Organiser of the SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa stated that his responsibility is to get a suit sewn for the most suitable candidate to be presented for the 2024 Presidential Election from the SLPP. Rajapaksa added that some parties have been destroyed because those who have been put in charge of getting the suit sewn have made attempts to wear the suit themselves. He further added that he has understood the role that has been given to him by the party.
“The printing cost for the presidential election is Rs. 600 to Rs. 800 million; the printing of papers related to the census of government officials in the presidential election has been completed; the government press has enough paper for two elections” – Government printer
Ada
Government Printer Gangani Liyanage stated that the total printing cost for the presidential election sums up to between Rs. 600 and Rs. 800 million. Liyanage added that the printing of papers related to the census of government officials in the presidential election has also been completed. Liyanage stated further that the government press has papers enough to last two elections and added that the remainder of the printing will be completed when the presidential election has been officially announced.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Ada Derana
A split in the SLPP: One group to support the president while the other group demands a different candidate
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The SLPP has split due to contradictory stances held by two groups of the party regarding the presidential candidate of the party. Political sources claim that SLPP leaders of 12 districts have decided to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe, if the party decides to nominate a different candidate, going against the will of the majority of the party. Sources state that the 12 leaders had held a secret meeting and reached this decision.
Thamilan in its headline highlights that the other candidate the SLPP is considering is Dhammika Perera.
Cremation of bodies affected by COVID: The government apologises to the Muslim community
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
The Government of Sri Lanka has taken measures to apologise to the Muslim community of the country for the compulsory cremation policy that was enacted in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cabinet has approved a proposal presented to tender an apology on behalf of the government to all the communities that were affected due to the enactment of the compulsory cremation policy. The Cabinet has also approved the proposal to introduce a new law enabling a person or their relatives to have the option of selecting either burial or cremation if their death is caused by COVID-19.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Relief for those that pawned their gold in banks; an interest subsidy of up to 10% per annum for advances not exceeding Rs. 100,000 – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
2. “A state minister has devised a plot to kill me” – Shanakiyan Rasamanickam – Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
3. “No parliamentary election this year” – Gunawardena – Mawbima, Virakesari, Thamilan