DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS
Tamil Headlines
Virakesari: Premier Dinesh Gunawardena supports Ranil Wickremesinghe | “The decision on the presidential candidate will be reconsidered” – Mahinda Rajapaksa | Pictorial: Presidential candidate Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe being wrapped with a golden shawl at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute
Thinakaran: MEP headed by Premier Dinesh Gunawardena supports President Ranil Wickremesinghe | ‘Suraksha’ insurance worth Rs. 7,112 million for all students came into effect from yesterday | Let’s all commit to the victory of the president – Central Committee of SLFP announces
Thinakkural: Would there be a change to come in the decision of Mahinda Rajapaksa regarding the presidential candidate? | Many are backing out of contesting under the SLPP!; announcement of candidate gets delayed | Premier Dinesh Gunawardena supports Ranil Wickremesinghe
Thamilan: One Indian fisherfolk dies; India expresses disappointment | “No problem if we are removed from the party” – Mahindananda Aluthgamage
Sinhala Headlines
Lankadeepa: Attempted assassination of Shani via vehicle accident: IGP and defence secretary summoned to court
Divaina: Notorious criminals including ‘Loku Pattie’, ‘Kanjipani Imran’ and ‘Rotumbe Amila’ apprehended in Belarus while trying to escape to Paris; CID aims to repatriate them
Ada: Three individuals including ‘Loku Pattie’, the primary orchestrator of the murder of ‘Club Wasantha’, have been apprehended in Belarus
Mawbima: Transfer the general secretary position from Sagara to Ramesh; SLPP summit in Matara approves a proposal | Government employees should exercise caution during the election period – HRCSL
Dinamina: Prime Minister’s Mahajana Eksath Peramuna to support Ranil
Aruna: “Bring down alcohol prices by Rs. 100 to address moonshine consumption” – Commissioner of Excise instructs manufacturers
Anidda: The president has breached the constitution by failing to appoint an acting IGP
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Thamilkural.net
“Do not bring the idea of a Tamil common candidate outside the Northern and Eastern Provinces” – Mano Ganesan
Thinakaran, Virakesari
SJB MP Mano Ganesan stated not to bring the idea of nominating a Tamil common candidate outside the Northern and Eastern Provinces. He added that if such an idea is so brought to other provinces, it would cause problems to the Tamil people who are living around the country. He further stated that the Tamil national parties have the right to nominate a Tamil common candidate, but it is good avoiding it outside the North and East.
“A political solution cannot be bargained for after the common candidate is defeated” – Sumanthiran
Virakesari
ITAK MP M.A. Sumanthiran stated that the votes of the Tamil people are very significant for the upcoming presidential election, like the presidential election held in 2015. He added that his party, as a result, has been a party with bargaining power. He further added that in such a case, forfeiting such bargaining power and nominating a Tamil common presidential candidate is an irresponsible act, and that therefore, there would be a situation to come where negotiations with the future president on a solution for the Tamil people will not be possible to initiate as a result of the potential defeat of the Tamil common candidate.
Stop misuse of power – 142 civil activists and 31 civil organisations
appeal
Thinakkural, Virakesari
A joint petition has been made against the government by 142 civil activists, including intelligentsia, and 31 civil society organisations. It has been emphasised in the said petition that the president and the government must immediately stop troublesome activities such as misleading the general public in terms of laws, destroying democratic values, ignoring the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and contempt for the rule of law. In the petition, an appeal has also been made to the general
public to not vote for any presidential candidate who poses a threat to democratic values by bypassing the constitution.
India expresses disappointment over the death of an Indian fisherfolk
Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Government of India has strongly expressed its disappointment with regard to the incident of the death of an Indian fisherfolk and another fisherfolk who
went missing due to the trawler crash that occurred near Delft in the Northern Province waters. High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Kshenuka Senewiratne was invited to the Central Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi wherein such an expression of disappointment was made over the said incident.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES
Photo credits: Daily News
Transfer the general secretary position from Sagara to Ramesh; SLPP summit in Matara approves a proposal
Aruna, Ada, Mawbima
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s Matara District Organisation convened yesterday (1st) afternoon, led by Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera. During the meeting they unanimously agreed to dismiss SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam and appoint Dr. Ramesh Pathirana as the new general secretary. Additionally, another proposal was passed to urge the SLPP to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the forthcoming presidential election.
By not appointing an acting IGP the president has violated the constitution
Anidda
The newspaper reports that legal experts believe the president has breached the constitution by failing to appoint an acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) to serve until the legal proceedings against Deshbandu Tennakoon are concluded. This situation occurred after the Supreme Court issued an injunction against Tennakoon, barring him from performing his duties as IGP.
“SLPP will reveal its presidential candidate next week” – Kariyawasam
Anidda
SLPP MP Sagara Kariyawasam announced that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna will reveal its presidential candidate next week. He clarified that since President Ranil Wickremesinghe has paid the deposit to run as an independent candidate, he will not be the party’s choice for the presidency. Kariyawasam also advised ignoring any claims from MPs and ministers of his party that they will back Wickremesinghe in the upcoming election, urging the public to rely on the statements of actual party members rather than those of public representatives.
“The party has not yet decided which candidate it will support in the upcoming presidential election” – Ranawaka
Anidda
Leader of the Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (United Republic Front) Patali Champika Ranawaka has revealed that his party has not yet decided which candidate it will support in the upcoming presidential election. He indicated that he is currently engaged in discussions with several political groups including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and factions aligned with MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa who is a supporter of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Ranawaka asserted that the party will hold a meeting within the next few days to finalise its stance and make a concrete decision regarding its presidential endorsement.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS
Photo credits: Sunday Observer
Prime Minister’s Mahajana Eksath Peramuna to support Ranil Wickremesinghe
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Aruna, Divaina, Anidda, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran
The Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Central Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, decided to endorse President Ranil Wickremesinghe for the upcoming presidential election. The decision was made at a meeting with key committee members yesterday (1st), where the proposal to support the incumbent president, running as an independent candidate, was approved by majority vote.
SDIG Pathinayake appointed to oversee administration
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Aruna, Mawbima, Divaina, Anidda, Thamilan
The National Police Commission has appointed Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) of Police Lalith Pathinayake, who oversees the Central Province, to temporarily handle the administrative responsibilities of the Sri Lanka Police. This interim appointment, effective immediately, was made yesterday (1st) following directives from the Attorney General (AG).
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Diana Gamage pleads not guilty to all seven counts – Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Ada, Aruna, Divaina,Thinakaran
2. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe places his cash deposit to contest in the upcoming presidential election – Dinamina, Ada, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakaran
3. “If the party were to reach a consensus, we will reassess and alter our decision to present a separate candidate from the SLPP” – Mahinda Rajapaksa – Lankadeepa, Aruna, Thinakkural, Virakesari