DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: “It is important to complete the efforts at resolution undertaken by R. Sampanthan; it is the highest tribute we can pay him” – President | “Resolve the Tamil national question before your tenure ends” – Sumanthiran | Pictorial: The president is paying tribute to the corpse of Sampanthan | Six Sri Lankan Tamils to contest in the general election of Britain to be held tomorrow
Thinakaran: “Certain individuals spread false propaganda regarding debt restructuring; USD 500 million has been saved for the people of the country due to the grace period given till 2028 for debt resettlement; interest rates have been reduced considerably; politically motivated critics fabricate new narratives everyday when the government moves forward with a policy; is it not happy news that the days waiting in queues for fuel and gas have ended?; Sri Lanka is in the frontline of the medium-level income earning countries which have been successful in the debt restructuring process; we should move forward in this progressive project; we cannot move backwards whoever comes into power; I make decisions only for the sake of the country and not for political interests” – President
Thinakkural: “Provide a solution within three months since the tenure of the presidency comes to an end” – Sumanthiran appeals to the president after the president’s condolence speech concerning Sampanthan’s aspirations | “Which is good news? Which is sad news?” – A debate was held between Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa | The SJB has decided not to extend support for the formation of a national government | Gas prices reduced
Thamilan: “We will fulfil the aspiration of R. Sampanthan” – President delivers a condolence speech in parliament | “Ranil Wickremesinghe must fulfil the aspiration of R. Sampanthan during his tenure” – Sumanthiran | Pictorial: The president is paying tribute to the corpse of Sampanthan | Public officers are to go on strike on the 5th, 8th and 9th
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: “Do not bend the law” – Magistrate blames the police | Bomb scare takes over the Kandy Courthouse; all hearings postponed; bus conductor arrested
Divaina: “There is no other path apart from this even if someone else comes into power; successfully restructured bilateral debt amounting to USD 10 billion; USD 5 billion will be saved for the country through the postponement of debt; supporters of Anura are making posts spreading misinformation about our foreign debt on social media; critics tried to influence creditor countries against agreeing to our restructuring efforts; the country’s total foreign debt amounts to USD 37 billion” – President tells in parliament | Court opens the door which Maithripala closed for Dayasiri | “The court did justice. The goal is to put together the SLFP that has been broken into pieces” – Jayasekara | Forged letters in the name of the IGP on social media
Ada: The two who created the bomb scare in the Kandy Court, caught; the hearing of a case against the main suspect was supposed to be held yesterday; all hearings which were to take place yesterday postponed to July 16
Mawbima: Post of the SLFP general secretary: Ban against Dayasiri dismissed | Prescriptions stolen from the Nuwara Eliya Hospital to purchase drugs from the pharmacy; seals of specialists also stolen
Dinamina: “The country will save USD 5 billion due to the secured grace period until 2028 for repaying the principal loan; we must continue on this path regardless of who comes into power, there is no turning back; Sri Lanka is leading among middle-income countries that have successfully completed the debt restructuring process; my decisions are not driven by political power but are made solely for the country’s benefit” – President states during special statement in parliament
Aruna: Tax orders for a million who registered with a TIN; letters and text messages sent unofficially | Suspect who heated up the Kandy Court with a bomb scare, arrested | No national government with Ranil – A decision from the SJB
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: The Hindu
“We will fulfil the aspiration of R. Sampanthan” – President
Thamilan, Virakesari
President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered a condolence address in parliament yesterday (2nd) on the death of ITAK MP R. Sampanthan. He pointed out in the address that the late R. Sampanthan advocated for Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity and held his distinct perspective on power-sharing. The president further noted that as a show of appreciation to R. Sampanthan’s significant contributions in this regard, completing the tasks he started would be the best tribute to his memory.
“Ranil Wickremesinghe must fulfil the aspiration of R. Sampanthan during his tenure” – Sumanthiran
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
ITAK MP M.A. Sumanthiran stated in response to the president’s vote of condolence on late R. Sampanthan that the president must take action to find a solution for the Tamil national question during his tenure since his term of office is to end within three months. He further emphasised that the president stated in his address that the resolution which late R. Sampanthan aspired to should have been provided within the lifetime of the latter, and hence the president must consider providing it before his tenure ends.
“Is only the president entitled to expression in the House?” – Sajith Premadasa queries against the president
Thinakkural, Thamilan
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa addressing the Speaker in parliament yesterday (2nd), asked whether only the president is entitled to deliver the vote of condolence on late R. Sampanthan. He made this query immediately after the president delivered his vote of condolence. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana responded to Premadasa that there will be another day allocated for the vote of condolence to be delivered. After Premadasa again questioned the Speaker as to why he had permitted the president to do so, the Speaker, after a short while, then permitted Premadasa as well to deliver a vote of condolence on late R. Sampanthan.
Public officers are to go on strike on 5th, 8th and 9th
Thamilan
Trade unions of public officers have decided to go on strike on the coming 8th and 9th, while the trade unions of teachers and principals are to stage a massive protest in Colombo on Friday (5th). General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers’ Union Joseph Stalin stated that such protests are to be staged regarding various demands including salary anomalies, and that the public officers are also to support it.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Daily News
“Do not bend the law” – Magistrate berates the police
Lankadeepa, Ada, Dinamina
Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday (2nd) stated that there has been considerable doubt regarding the transparency of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) with regard to the investigation into the smuggling of over 200 kg of heroin. Gamage berated the police in open court, stating that police officers should not bend the law and evade it as they wish. The police was thus berated due to lapses in filing documents related to the incident.
Kandy Court stirred by a bomb fear; all hearings postponed; bus conductor arrested
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna
A tense situation was created at the Kandy Court Complex yesterday (2nd) following an anonymous tip-off to the police emergency hotline regarding a bomb threat. Accordingly, all the cases that were to be heard on the day were postponed to July 16. The owner of the mobile phone number through which the anonymous tip was provided to the police emergency hotline was later arrested.
“Election laws are still in effect, follow my commands” – Election commissioner
Divaina, Ada
Commissioner of the Election Commission (EC) R.M.A.L. Rathnayake reaffirmed the ongoing validity of the election law. The announcement was made in light of the postponed local government polls and the subsequent incomplete process. A statement issued by the EC stated that during the period in which the local government election law remains in effect, political parties, groups, or candidates are prohibited from engaging in promotional activities and that the directives of the EC must be followed.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
“USD 5 billion was saved due to the postponement of repaying foreign debt” – President
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Making a special statement in parliament yesterday (2nd), President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that there is no other path for the country to move forward apart from the one it is currently on, even if the leadership of the country changes. He added that bilateral debt amounting to USD 10 billion was successfully restructured even though critics tried to influence creditor countries against agreeing to the country’s restructuring efforts. The president stated further that USD 5 billion has been saved for the country due to debt restructuring. The president highlighted that certain political groups are attempting to spread misinformation about foreign debt on social media and cited a social media post made by a supporter of the NPP.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “Do not sacrifice the people on the pretext of debt restructuring” – Premadasa – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Thinakkural
2. “The Financial Management Bill is unconstitutional. It requires a referendum and two-thirds majority in parliament to be passed” – Speaker announces SC verdict – Divaina, Mawbima, Virakesari
3. No SJB support for any national government headed by the president – SJB MP group decides unanimously – Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Thinakkural, Thamilan