Top stories in the Tamil press
Basil says no immediate plans to repeal 19 A
Immediately repealing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution may lead to some complexities, Basil Rajapaksa, founder and national organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) cautioned, saying the new government has to act carefully in formulating a new constitution.
Rajapaksa also said there was no need for him to be an MP, claiming he can render more services to the country and the people without going to Parliament. He noted former finance minister Mangala Samaraweera had also decided not to return to Parliament in the belief one can effectively serve people without being an MP.
Rajapaksa said the next Provincial Council elections would most probably be held under the existing electoral system and expressed confidence the ruling party would capture the Eastern Province as well.
-Virakesari Daily
Gnanasara Thera says no conflict with Rathna Thera
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, Secretary General of the Bodu Bala Sena, dismissed reports of a battle between him and Athuraliye Rathana Thera, over the National List slot secured by their party, Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya, saying he does not have any problems with the Thera over the nomination. Addressing a press briefing, he acknowledged the party’s general secretary has gone missing for selfish purposes, but assured the party would settle the issue very soon. He also noted that the Sinhalese Buddhist people had elected a pan Sinhala leader as the prime minister bringing to power a Sinhala government that should be protected.
-Virakesari Daily
Maithri congratulates Angajan on ‘historic victory’
Former president and Leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Maithripala Sirisena, commended the victory of his party’s member Angajan Ramanathan in the general election, deeming it ‘historic’, and thanked the Jaffna people for electing an SLFP candidate for the first time.
-Thinakural Daily