DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: Ministerial mansions have become the store rooms of ministries | Unjustly detained and handcuffed: Two sergeants and three constables issue apology to driver in court
Divaina: “We only halted them until the presidential election was completed; now the government can provide fertiliser, fuel subsidies and pension allowances” – Chairperson of the Election Commission
Ada: Local government elections will be held right after the general elections – Election Commission
Mawbima: The MPs who left the SLPP decide to contest with Ranil under a common symbol | Errors in the cut-off marks [for university entrance] at Sabaragamuwa University – Students from the Faculties of Food Science, Business, and Management inform the PM in writing
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
“Probes into corruption and fraudulence have commenced” – Lalkantha
Thinakkural, Virakesari
Member of the Executive Committee of the NPP K.D. Lalkantha claimed that investigations have been launched into the corruption and fraudulence that took place in the past, to clean up the country. He added that the public should extend their support to complete this mission in the future. He further added that three persons now govern the country while parliament, provincial councils and local government bodies are inactive, which has never happened in the country.
Thinakkural quotes him as saying that the NPP will display only the numbers of the candidates during the general election campaigns, adding that the party will decide the persons after the election.
“Start probing into the killings of Nimalarajan, Sivaram and Raviraj” – Mujibur Rahuman requests the government
Virakesari
Former SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman has called for the relaunching of investigations on the assassinations of journalists Dharmeratnam Sivaram and Nimalarajan, and former MP Nadarajah Raviraj, that took place during the Rajapaksa tenure between 2005 and 2015, similar to probing the cases of Lasantha Wickrematunge, Prageeth Ekneligoda, Poddala Jayantha and Keith Noyahr.
“We cannot be patient anymore if something is said against the party and the leader” – Sagara Kariyawasam
Thamilan, Thinakkural
General Secretary of the SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam claimed false allegations should not be levelled against a leader who rescued and developed the country. He added that if they had engaged in corruption, that should be proved with evidence. He further added that they will no longer be patient if something is said against his party and its leader.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Gota, Ranil and Mahinda continue to receive protection from the Commando Regiment
Anidda
Despite the announcement that elite security officers assigned to former ministers and politicians have been recalled, a substantial number of soldiers from the Commando Regiment and other military units continue to provide protection for former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa. Currently, Gotabaya is protected by 110 personnel, Ranil by 60 and Mahinda by 36.
Promotions within the army to be granted through the back door
Anidda
As Sri Lanka Army Day approaches on October 10, there are reports of an attempt to grant promotions to certain individuals who were not endorsed by the Army Promotion Board. This effort, initiated by the commander of the Sri Lanka Army, has reportedly faced opposition from the Army Promotion Board, leading to significant discussions within the army.
Will Muslim congress contest independently in the Eastern Province?
Anidda
Reports indicate that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, which previously expressed a commitment to contest elections alongside the SJB whenever feasible, may instead run independently in the Eastern Province at the upcoming general elections. Several discussions have taken place among the party’s MPs representing the Eastern Province regarding this potential shift.
Namal will not be leaving Hambantota
Anidda
Namal Rajapakse has refuted claims that he plans to leave the Hambantota District to contest in the Kurunegala District in the upcoming parliamentary elections. He expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Hambantota who supported him with a significant majority in the last election, affirming his commitment to remain actively engaged in politics with them.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
The MPs who left the SLPP decide to contest with Ranil under a common symbol
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Thamilan, Dinamina, Thinakkural, Virakesari
Newspapers report that the UNP, led by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the Podujana Eksath Nidahas Peramuna (PENP), chaired by former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, will join forces for the upcoming general election under a shared symbol. According to statements from the General Secretary of the PENP Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, reported by Mawbima and Dinamina, the party’s executive committee has decided to field candidates in every district.
Additionally, former MP Nimal Lanza, cited by Thinakkural and Virakesari, confirmed that the PENP, along with all parties that supported Wickremesinghe as an independent candidate in the presidential election, will contest under the gas cylinder symbol in the upcoming general election.
“We are dedicated to achieving the goals of the IMF programme while also offering support to those in need” – President
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Ada, Divaina, Virakesari
President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka and the government delegation met with the visiting IMF team, led by Asia Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan and Senior Mission Chief Dr. Peter Breuer, at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (3rd) to discuss the progress of Sri Lanka’s ongoing IMF programme. While reaffirming the government’s general agreement with the programme’s objectives, President Dissanayaka stressed the need to achieve these goals through alternative methods that alleviate the burden on citizens. He highlighted the government’s intention to offer relief to those affected by high VAT and income tax.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Rs. 25,000 fertiliser subsidy to be granted to farmers on October 20 – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna, Thinakaran
2. “Nominations submission for general elections till October 11” – Chairperson of the Election Commission – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Divaina, Virakesari
3. Jaishankar to visit Lanka – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
4. Daham Sirisena joins MJP – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Ada, Aruna, Virakesari