14 October 2025 | Vol. 11, #183

Virakesari: Harini requests Chinese Premier’s support for Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring | Provincial Council election will be a turning point for change, says Samagi Jana Balawegaya; JVP can never become the permanent owner of Sri Lanka | The Indian government invites JVP General Secretary Tilvin; Ministers Bimal and Nalinda also to visit soon | The Working Committee will meet to decide on the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) consensus/agreement, says Wajira Abeywardana

Thinakaran: Valaichchenai Paper Mill revived; Company Chairperson Upali Ratnayake says the goal is to further increase production capacity | Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has been selected as the Regional Head for South and Southeast Asian countries (WHO) | Electricity tariff revision: All analyses completed; final decision today, states the Public Utilities Commission | Conductors suspended for failing to issue tickets, according to the Western Provincial Passenger Transport Authority

Thinakkural: Heavy rains in the North delay Chemmani mass grave excavations; Magistrate conducts on-site inspection — investigations postponed until November 3 | Maithri (Sirisena) undergoes five hours of questioning | Will electricity tariffs increase? Announcement today

Thamilan: UNP talks at a stalemate! — Dispute arises as Sajith demands leadership of the alliance | Trump awarded highest civilian honours by Israel and Egypt — expresses gratitude to all who contributed to Israel-Gaza peace agreement | Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, on a three-day official visit to China, met with Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing yesterday (13th) | Electricity tariff revision: Final decision to be announced today 

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at the China Women’s Conference: Sri Lanka reaffirms its commitment to women’s rights and equality

Thinakaran, Virakesari

Speaking at the International Women’s Conference in Beijing, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya affirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to implementing policies that ensure women’s rights, well-being, and social equality.

Recalling the 1995 Beijing conference, the prime minister noted that progress over the last three decades has been encouraging.

She highlighted that women’s literacy has increased, maternal mortality has decreased, and the average life expectancy has risen from 69 years in 1995 to 76 years in 2023.

Additionally, women’s participation in the workforce has seen a considerable increase.

However, Amarasuriya identified food insecurity, which disproportionately affects women, and achieving political equality as remaining challenges.

She stated that the government is focused on improving women’s overall development across education, health, economic, political, and social sectors.

The prime minister added that a key focus is on increasing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making roles to ensure meaningful representation at every level.

Heavy rains in the North delay Chemmani mass grave excavations; Magistrate conducts on-site inspection — investigations postponed until November 3 

Thinakkural 

The third phase of the Chemmani mass grave excavation is unlikely to resume at present due to the ongoing rainy weather in the North, which has flooded the excavation sites.

There is also a high probability of continued rainfall.

During a field visit to the site yesterday (13th), Monday, Jaffna Magistrate S. Leninkumar, along with forensic medical officers, lawyers, and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials, observed that the excavated areas were inundated with floodwater.

It was noted that the flooding occurred because the sites had not been properly covered or protected.

The official visit was conducted after funds were allocated for the third phase of the excavation.

Home ownership deed is a hoax; Indian High Commissioner was brought in for a political gimmick, Mano Ganesan expresses disappointment 

Thamilan, Virakesari 

At a press conference in Colombo yesterday (13th), Tamil Progressive Alliance leader and MP Mano Ganesan accused the government of deceiving the public with a recent housing rights certificate handover ceremony in Bandarawela.

Ganesan described the event as a sham, stating that for the first time in the history of the Indian-funded housing project, beneficiaries were given only a piece of paper promising land and a house.

He claimed that no land has been identified for the new homes, no foundation stones have been laid, and infrastructure like water, electricity, and roads has not even been completed for previously built houses.

Ganesan alleged that the “inexperienced” JVP ministers from the Hill Country have not only misled the public but also President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and have used the presence of the Indian High Commissioner to conceal their incompetence.

He reiterated that the 10,000-individual house project was a promise he and his party secured from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Norwood.

Ganesan added that while his party is ready to cooperate with the government on the project, the current ministers have demonstrated their inexperience in its implementation.

Attack on a lawyer: Constable granted bail; receives a warm welcome at the court premises

Thinakaran, Thamilan 

A police constable, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting a lawyer at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court premises on October 10, was granted bail yesterday (13th).

The constable was released on two sureties of Rs. 100,000 each.

During the hearing, police submitted a supplementary ‘B report’ to the court, alleging that the lawyer, Gunaratne Wanninayake, had used abusive and provocative language towards the police constable who was carrying out his duties.

Police also informed the court that Wanninayake has not yet provided a statement to the police or appeared in court regarding the matter.

Following the incident, police have been searching for Wanninayake and visited his residence to arrest him, but he was not present.

A separate police investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The President’s Media Division (PMD) issued a statement denying false claims circulating on social media that a senior lawyer had contacted the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to influence the constable’s arrest.

Following the court’s decision to grant bail, a crowd gathered near the court and celebrated the constable’s release, carrying him on their shoulders along the main road and causing a slight disturbance.

A protest was also held outside the court in support of the police constable.

Videos of these events circulated on social media.