DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: No support for Ranil; Mahinda Rajapaksa side decides to field a candidate under the ‘flower bud’ symbol | “Apply for postal voting before August 5” – Election Commission | Pictorial: SLPP’s meeting on fielding a candidate in the presidential election
Thinakaran: National People’s Power (NPP) follows a campaign procedure that a candidate has not followed in any of the eight presidential elections since the inaugural presidential election; nurses in their uniforms, while on duty leave and using their free travel permits to attend the event | SLPP decides to contest in the presidential election separately
Thinakkural: Rajapaksas abandoned Ranil; decide to field their candidate under the ‘flower bud’ symbol; stern action against those who support Ranil or any other candidates | SLFP divided into three; support for three candidates | “I am prepared to contest” – Dhammika Perera
Thamilan: Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe steps down from his ministerial post | Ranil marginalised; SLPP goes separate way | “Announcement on SLFP’s support tomorrow” – Mahinda Amaraweera | “The decision of the Mawbima Janatha Party to be taken on Monday (August 5)” – Ranjan Seneviratne
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: E-visa issuance to foreign companies: Prime Minister and Cabinet summoned to court | No support for Ranil, a separate candidate from SLPP | 75 Members from SLPP will support Ranil | Kandy Esala Perahera starts on August 5 | Muslim Congress also supports Sajith
Divaina: No support for Ranil: SLPP will name their candidate within a few days | Petition against E-visa system: Hearing scheduled for August 2, Prime Minister and Cabinet summoned to Court | Bandula (Gunawardana) goes to the Police against Namal
Ada: Entire Cabinet summoned to court to hear the facts about E-visa system | Ranil lacks SLPP support: SLPP to field a separate candidate
Mawbima: No support for Ranil in the presidential election: SLPP keeps candidate under wraps | Sajith’s welfare efforts hindered as Election Commission restricts distribution of political goods | Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe resigns as Justice Minister
Dinamina: The era of transformation of the NPP begins | “I am not in a position to give orders to stop government welfare work” – Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake | CaFFE claims NPP nurses’ conference violates election laws | SLPP to announce presidential candidate name soon
Aruna: Presidential Secretary rejects Election Commission’s request | SLPP to announce presidential candidate | “I can prove that Sajith’s MPs obtained liquor licenses” – Anura Kumara Dissanayaka
Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
“The ITAK will extend its support to the candidate who supports federalism” – Shritharan
Thinakkural
Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) MP Sivagnanam Shritharan claimed that his party will consider supporting a presidential candidate from the South if the candidate is prepared to discuss based on the matters agreed by the LTTE and the government during the 2002 Oslo talks.
He added that if any presidential candidate announces that he is ready to discuss establishing a governance of self determination in the traditional homeland of the Tamils-the North and East, they will consider supporting him.
However, he further added that the central committee of the party will discuss whether to support the Tamil common candidate or a candidate from the South on August 10 or 11.
“MoU between the TPA and the SJB on August 8” – Thigambaram
Virakesari
MP Palani Thigambaram claimed that his party, the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its alliance, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), ahead of the presidential election on August 8.
He added that the party’s high-level discussion will be held to discuss matters on August 2 prior to signing the MoU.
“My support is for Ranil” – Premitha Bandara Tennakoon
Thamilan
State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon claimed that he would support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the presidential election.
Posting on X, he stated, “Immaterial of the decision made by the political bureau of SLPP, together with the majority of parliamentary members, I will continue to support president Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election, who rescued the country at the most crucial time.”
“There is no need for the speaker to discuss with the chief justice” – Sumanthiran
Thinakkural
Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) MP M.A. Sumanthiran stated that if President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that he cannot appoint an Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) as he is a presidential candidate, the party leaders can collectively recommend a name for the post.
He made these remarks when responding to a question on the president’s statement saying that the Speaker should discuss with the chief justice in terms of appointing the Acting IGP.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Daily News
E-visa issuance to foreign companies: Prime Minister and Cabinet summoned to court
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Aruna
The Supreme Court has directed Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Cabinet to justify their decision to permit foreign companies to implement and manage the e-visa service.
This order follows petitions filed by Patali Champika Ranawaka and M.A. Sumanthiran, MP.
The court has issued notices to both the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, requiring them to respond.
The petitioners argue that the e-visa system could lead to higher visa fees, erode public trust, and pose a threat to national security.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to review the case again on August 2.
Sajith’s ‘Husma’ and ‘Sakwala’ foundations’ operations halted by the Election Commission
Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna
The Election Commission (EC) has halted Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa from carrying out the Sakwala and Husma programmes, which involved distributing IT equipment to schools and medical equipment to hospitals.
This action follows the EC’s declaration of the 2024 presidential elections.
In response, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara has urged the EC to act impartially and consider the government’s ongoing programmes in their decisions.
“I am not in a position to give orders to stop government welfare work” – Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake
Dinamina, Aruna
President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake informed Election Commission Chairman R.M.L. Rathnayake that it is not feasible to halt government development and welfare programmes, as they are not illegal.
This response addresses concerns that these programmes might be used for party or candidate promotions, which is against Election Commission directives.
Ekanayake highlighted that, despite past economic challenges and the current stabilisation through IMF reforms, continuing these programmes is essential to address ongoing multidimensional poverty and achieve full economic recovery.
The murder case from the 1999 election, involving four people including Keheliya, will be heard for three days
Ada, Dinamina, Mawbima
Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who has been indicted for his involvement in a 1999 election bombing that resulted in one death and multiple injuries, is scheduled to appear before the Kandy High Court on July 31, August 27, and August 30.
The court has issued orders for the Superintendent of Welikada Prison to present Rambukwella in court.
The charges against Rambukwella are under sections 296 and 315 of the Penal Code.
The trial is linked to a violent incident during the 1999 election campaign, where a bomb was thrown, leading to the death of one individual and serious injuries to five others, including MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
“The Election Commissioner has the power to issue necessary orders to the police” – G.L. Peiris
Divaina
According to Articles 14G and 104G of the Constitution, the Election Commission has the authority to issue necessary orders to the police for conducting the presidential election.
MP, Prof. G.L. Peiris stated that the President has the power to appoint an Acting IGP for up to fourteen days.
He also condemned the Prime Minister for challenging court orders in Parliament under parliamentary privileges and criticised the Prime Minister’s view that the Legislative Council is part of the Legislature, as opposed to the President’s view of it being part of the Executive.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Ada Derana
SLPP decides not to support Ranil, but to field its own candidate
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
SLPP MP Sagara Kariyawasam announced that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will not support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential Election.
The SLPP politburo has decided to field its own candidate and will select the individual with the best chance of winning.
Disciplinary action will be taken against any SLPP member running without party approval.
Kariyawasam stated that the candidate will be named at the right time.
The SLPP has decided to field a candidate under the ‘flower bud’ symbol.
Meanwhile, Ranil Wickremesinghe has placed his election deposit to run as an independent candidate.
Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe resigns from ministerial portfolios
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe resigned from his roles as Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to run in the upcoming Presidential Election.
At a press conference, he noted that he declared his candidacy on July 25, and President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his independent candidacy shortly thereafter.
Rajapakshe emphasised that both are running as independents, not from the SLPP, which has yet to field a candidate.
He also reflected on his history of accepting and resigning from ministerial posts, including previous rejections and resignations.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Nuwan Bopage named as the presidential candidate of Aragalaya activists – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Thinakkural, Virakesari
2. CaFFE raises concerns about government nurses attending the NPP meeting in uniform – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. Deadline issued for postal voting applications: Apply by August 5 – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Aruna, Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakaran