DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: President Anura warns government officials, including those in the security sector: those involved in drug networks must resign | Wellawaya Magistrate suspended Thinakaran: “Ready to face the challenges against drugs” – President at the launching of ‘A Nation United’ national operation |
Thinakkural: “A black government emerging with massive armed strength, ready to confront the drug menace! At the same time, several armed groups with immense financial power are attempting to undermine the nation’s governance structure; they must be completely eradicated” – President | In Sri Lanka, hired killers are ready to act for money or drugs! Shocking revelations emerge from ongoing investigations Thamilan: “We will completely eradicate the drug menace from the country!” — President’s pledge at the launching of ‘A Nation United’ national program |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called to court over Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s sugar [tax] case: Secretary to the Treasury also called | “We will not return without saving the nation from the drug storm; who are we if we allow [ourselves] to fall victim to a small gang?” – President states while launching the ‘Ratama Ekata’ National Mission Divaina: “We will save both the country and your child from this illusory storm named drugs: those who are addicted should quit, those who sell should surrender” – President states while launching the ‘Ratama Ekata’ National Mission Mawbima: Environmentalists go to court against the driver who caused the death of seven elephants in Habarana: do not employ retired drivers for trains in the East: a petition to the Supreme Court requesting an order | [Investigations to locate] police officers that are close to the lawyer alleged to have aided Ishara Sewwandi
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Dinamina: “Those who are addicted should quit, those who sell should surrender”; “We will not let anyone run away; both the government and I are prepared to go head-to-head with the issue” – President’s final message to drug traffickers: President states while participating in the inauguration of the National Mission ‘Ratama Ekata’ Aruna: Gampaha District wins in population [records highest population]: Colombo 2,375,415 and 2,436,142 in Gampaha; a 60,000 increase Anidda: No decision from SJB on [joining] the opposition rally: ‘Chair’ [People’s Alliance] to participate, Wimal Weerawansa and Dilith Jayaweera to not participate |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Virakesari.lk
“A full and fair investigation must be conducted into the Chemmani mass grave” – Jaffna Christian Union protests
Thinakkural
General Secretary of the National Christian Council Sujithar Sivanayagam stated that if the Chemmani mass grave investigation is completed fully and transparently, it will provide some justice to the families still searching for answers about their disappeared loved ones, offering a ray of hope that justice, though delayed, will not be denied.
Speaking to the media after yesterday’s protest in Chemmani demanding justice for the “genocide,” he expressed deep concern that while information about the Chemmani mass grave has been brought to light again by many Tamil and some English media outlets, the primary Sinhala media outlets have given it little attention
Sajith and opposition members face death threats; MP Rajakaruna accuses the government of orchestrating the plan
Thamilan SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna asserted that all members of the opposition are facing death threats, which are being publicly issued on social media platforms. Speaking at a press conference at the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) office in Colombo on Thursday (30), he claimed that the government is attempting to suppress the opposition under the guise of eliminating underworld gangs. MP Rajakaruna noted that if MP Jagath Vithana had not received prior information about the threat to his life, his survival today would be doubtful, adding that this shows the threat is universal among opposition members. He also raised suspicions about whether such actions are being carried out within the government itself, citing the example of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson, who was killed despite officially requesting protection in writing. He further stressed that to ensure national security, the “politicisation of the police must be completely avoided,” noting that the Inspector General of Police is commenting at press conferences “like the general secretary of the JVP” instead of acting as the nation’s IGP. |
“We will take a collective decision on the new Constitution” – ITAK announcesThinakkural
Leader of the ITAK C.V.K. Sivagnanam announced that all Tamil national parties will jointly take a unified position when the proposed new Constitution is officially presented. Sivagnanam emphatically stated that ITAK has never and will never accept a Unitary State (Ottaiyaatchi). He dismissed current promotions of the Unitary State concept as a political strategy, not a reality, since the government has not formally engaged in official discussions on the new Constitution. He noted that while some discussions on the new Constitution were reportedly held in Switzerland, no strong JVP members were among the government’s delegation. He stressed that regardless of ITAK’s individual views, the party is committed to collaborating with all Tamil national parties to present a single, unified common position on the draft Constitution. |
[Pepper spray] needed for immediate security; letter from MP Archchuna
Thinakaran
Ramanathan Archchuna MP has requested a foreign-manufactured “pepper spray gun” for his self-defense.
This handgun, which uses pepper cartridges and is designed to spray liquid over a long distance, is one he has already purchased.
MP Archchuna sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) requesting permission to possess the gun for security purposes.
In the letter, he stated that he wishes to keep a gun for safety reasons and requested the IGP’s approval.
MP Archchuna explained that he had already bought a foreign-made pepper spray gun but was unsure if Customs would allow its importation.
He noted that he only considered seeking permission after purchasing the gun.
He added that since the government has not provided him with security, he has a responsibility to protect himself, and he purchased the gun because he feels threatened domestically.
He also noted in the letter that he was unaware, at the time of purchase, that prior authorisation was required to import such items according to Sri Lanka Customs regulations.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Newsfirst.lk
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called to court over Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s sugar [tax] case: Secretary to the Treasury also called
Lankadeepa, Aruna
The government incurred a loss of Rs. 15.9 billion due to the reduction of import tax on sugar under the administration of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti filed a Fundamental Rights petition requesting an order to recover the amount.
The Supreme Court (SC), yesterday (30th), ordered the petition to be called for confirmation of facts on January 19, 2026 and instructed the petitioner’s party to take steps to send notices to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, who are named as respondents in the relevant petition.
The court, having granted permission for this request, ordered the petition to be called for confirmation of facts on January 19 next year.
No decision from SJB on [joining] the opposition rally: ‘Chair’ [People’s Alliance] to participate, Wimal Weerawansa and Dilith Jayaweera to not participate
Anidda Anidda reports that the main party of the opposition, the SJB, has not yet decided whether to join the ‘Mahajana Handa’ (people’s voice) rally that is to be held on November 21, in Nugegoda, by the Opposition. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman stated that the working committee of the SJB will be meeting soon in order to discuss the matter and arrive at a decision. The paper reports further that the People’s Alliance (PA) will be joining the rally. However, it stressed that Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa and Leader of the Sarvajana Balaya Dilith Jayaweera will not be taking part in the rally. |
“Fullest support of the SJB for the ‘Ratama Ekata’ National Mission” – MP Harshana RajakarunaDinaminaSJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna stated that the SJB will give its fullest support to the operation that the government has launched to eradicate the drug menace, known as the ‘Ratama Ekata’ National Mission. Rajakaruna made this statement while participating in a press briefing held yesterday (30th) at the main office of the SJB. He also expressed disappointment that the SJB had not been invited to its launch, noting that the party would have participated if asked. Rajakaruna affirmed the SJB’s unwavering belief that crime and drug activities must be suppressed, stating that the eradication of drugs from the nation is a necessary and critical action, which previous governments have also undertaken. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: ONLANKA
“Those who are addicted should quit, those who sell should surrender” – President’s final message to drug traffickers: President states, while participating in the inauguration of the National Mission ‘Ratama Ekata’
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake inaugurated the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (A Nation United) National Mission to eliminate the drug menace from Sri Lanka, in Colombo yesterday (30th).
President Dissanayake, addressing the gathering, described the drug trade as a grave national threat, endangering schoolchildren, youth, and contributing to an upsurge in serious crimes across the country.
He emphasised the urgent need for a unified national effort to eradicate drugs and protect future generations.
The president declared that the government will build a broad public movement to eliminate the drug threat from the country and safeguard its society.
He also issued a stern warning to those involved in drug trafficking to surrender and urged those who are addicted to withdraw immediately.
The ‘Ratama Ekata’ initiative will be implemented through a multifaceted strategy, integrating law enforcement, rehabilitation, prevention, public awareness, religion, sports, art, and culture.
The population of Sri Lanka for 2024 is 21,781,800: a 1.4 million increase since 2012: the highest population recorded from Gampaha
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
As per the new data from the Census of Population and Housing, the country’s population is 21.7 million (21,781,800), of which 51.7% (11,269,456) are women, while 48.3% (10,512,344) are men.
The Department of Census and Statistics states that Gampaha is reported as the district with the highest population residing in the country.
During the census conducted in 2012, Colombo District was the district with the highest population.
Compared to the census conducted in 2012, the country’s population has increased by 1.4 million in the current census.
Lankadeepa stressed in their headline that there is a 0.8% decrease in the Sinhala population of the country within a 12-year period.
It stated further that there is a significant growth in the Tamil and Muslim communities.
Thamilan highlights that, based on the population census, there has been a significant decline in the number of Up-Country Tamils in Sri Lanka.
According to the report, a decreasing population trend was registered specifically in the plantation sectors. The population in this area alone has decreased by 35,968.
Nationally, the number of Up-Country Tamils has dropped from 839,504 in the 2012 census to 600,360 in the 2024 census. This indicates a population difference of more than 230,000 between the two census periods.
Thamilan highlights that Sri Lanka’s total population was recorded at 21.7 million; the report reveals a rapid population decline.
Thinakaran reports that the population has increased.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. US President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping | Trump reduces China’s tariff to 47% following meeting with Xi Jinping – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thamilan
2. Doctors islandwide launch strike today – Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Aruna, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Audit reveals that Rs. 1,277 million of government income from medical officers has been lost – Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
4. Hearing of visa case against former MP Diana Gamage commences – Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
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