DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: 350 kg of drugs worth Rs. 5 billion seized from a deep-sea vessel; seven arrested, including the main suspect | Pictorial: The 25th anniversary celebration of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) was held, and Minister Vijitha Herath and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha were felicitated by GOPIO (Sri Lanka) President L. Shanmuganathan Thinakaran: Rs. 5 billion worth drug bust by the Navy – 350 kg of ‘ice’ and heroin seized; six suspects arrested |
Thinakkural: Rs. 5 billion worth of ‘ice’ and heroin seized from a fishing vessel in Sri Lanka’s western deep sea; over 350 kg recovered, 6 fisherfolk arrested | Cocaine worth Rs. 1.65 billion sent from Colombo to Mumbai; five arrested, including a woman Thamilan: Drugs worth Rs. 5 billion seized! Boat owner arrested; fisherfolk who illegally brought (the consignment) also apprehended |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: A [tax] net from the budget to catch tax evaders; relief for essential goods; a relief package for low-income earners; the vehicle tax to remain unchanged; a target of Rs. 4.6 trillion for tax revenue next year | VIP logos on the bags containing Rs. 5 billion worth of ‘ice’ drugs; was brought from Pakistan: Two racketeers who fled to Dubai-Paris involved? Divaina: Rs. 5 billion worth of ‘ice’-heroin in the fishing vessel seized by the navy; six fishers arrested; a seven-day detention order obtained for the owner of the fishing vessel; the navy has seized drugs worth Rs. 400 billion this year alone Mawbima: A person from Akurala, who brought in the 350 kg of heroin-‘ice’ that was seized and taken to Dikkowita by the navy while being transported to Galle, arrested; Rs. 5 billion worth [of drugs]; several family members also involved in the incident | A CZ firearm that only the police possess, given by Padme to a Minuwangoda businessperson; details sought on the transaction and how the firearm was obtained; the businessperson detained and questioned
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Dinamina: Four racketeers involved in the drug haul worth Rs. 5 billion seized from the sea; they arrived from Pakistan; six fishers nabbed; seized through the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (A Nation United) National Mission Aruna: The government’s total external debt as of end-June 2025 exceeds USD 37 billion Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“Provide security as threats are being made” — Ven. Gnanasara Thera
Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera has requested special security from the government, citing threats from underworld groups.
He claimed that these groups are continuously plotting his assassination and that he has sent a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence requesting two security officers.
Ven. Gnanasara Thera stated in his letter that intelligence officials who visited his vihara in Rajagiriya informed him of these threats.
He also noted that he has “repeatedly warned about violence linked to long-standing global extremism in the country.”
“New [Buddhist] temples established in Nediyakalmalai” – MP Srineshan explains
Thamilan, Thinakkural ITAK MP G. Srineshan has stated that a Buddhist place of worship is being constructed in the Nediyakalmalai area of Batticaloa, a region where no Buddhists reside. He noted that Buddhist monks are traveling from the Polonnaruwa District, 15 km away, to build the temple on land for which the Forest Department has reportedly granted permission. Srineshan claimed the process began under former Eastern Governor Anuradha Yahampath and was ignored by two former State Ministers from the district. He expressed concern that this is a “planned encroachment that will lead to Sinhala settlements and a military presence,” urging the National People’s Power (NPP) government to stop the construction “to prevent disruption to reconciliation.” |
“Final decision on provincial elections cannot be taken by the end of the year” – Minister Chandana Abeyratne
Virakesari
Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Chandana Abeyratne stated that while discussions on holding the provincial council election have begun, a final decision is not expected by the end of this year. He noted it is a long-standing issue and a final decision requires considering all factors and discussions with political parties and organisations to reach a consensus. The provincial council elections have been suspended for eight years due to a legal issue arising from an amendment introduced by the 2015-2020 government. The government had previously announced it would begin the legal reform process after the local government election, which was scheduled for May. |
20 MPs request weapons for their security | “Government should reconsider the request made by MPs for security” – Shritharan MP
Thinakkural, Virakesari Virakesari, Thinakkural: About 20 opposition MPs have sent a letter to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne requesting firearms for their personal security. These requests have now been forwarded to the Ministry of Defence. It is reported that a decision on providing firearms to eligible members will be made following a review of the current threats. A special discussion on the security of MPs was held last Friday, led by the Inspector General of Police. Following this, the Speaker and the Inspector General of Police agreed to discuss the matter at the Defence Council and take necessary action. Virakesari: ITAK MP Sivagnanam Shritharan stated that keeping guns is dangerous. He noted there is also a history of two Members of Parliament shooting at each other. Therefore, he said the government must reconsider the matter if members request guns. |
“Anura’s security is more than any other former president” – Mujibur Rahman
Thinakkural
SJB MP Mujibur Rahman stated that his party fully supports the government’s program to eradicate underworld groups and narcotics and will not obstruct efforts to save youth from drugs. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, he said that security is necessary for all people’s representatives, including those from the ruling party, as they feel insecure while frequently interacting with the public. Rahman noted that the President’s security has been increased beyond that of former presidents, and the Prime Minister is now receiving protection even within Parliament. He added that while the SJB does not oppose this, the government has a responsibility to ensure the security of all MPs. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Wikipedia
A CZ firearm that only the police possess, given by Padme to a Minuwangoda businessperson
Divaina, Mawbima
The Peliyagoda Crime Division arrested a businessperson in Minuwangoda on October 31, seizing a pistol and 13 live rounds of ammunition.
The businessperson stated he purchased the weapon from organised crime leader ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ for Rs. 350,000.
He claimed he needed it for protection due to death threats from another underworld leader, ‘Hinatiyana Mahesh’, after rejecting his attempts to extort money.
The firearm is a modern, Czechoslovakian-made CZ P5 model, identified as a type issued recently to the Sri Lanka Police.
Investigations are currently underway to determine how Padme obtained a weapon issued to the police.
The government’s total external debt as of end-June 2025 exceeds USD 37 billion
Aruna According to the ‘Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report 2025’ released on October 31 by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Sri Lanka’s total external debt stood at USD 37.1 billion by the end of June 2025. The total debt servicing for the first six months of the year was USD 1,358.9 million, comprising USD 863.6 million in principal repayments and USD 495.3 million in interest. The debt is composed of 36% multilateral, 34% commercial, and 30% bilateral loans. The report notes that over 85% of multilateral debt is owed to the ADB and the World Bank, while 81% of commercial debt consists of International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs). |
“Expedite the [establishment of the] Office of the Public Prosecutor to prevent judicial delays” – The government instructs
Aruna The government has instructed the relevant sectors to expedite the establishment of an independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial sub-offices to handle state litigation independently of the Attorney General’s Department. This measure, which was also proposed in the government’s manifesto, aims to prevent judicial delays and public inconvenience resulting from a backlog of cases, particularly those from recent island-wide anti-drug operations. A committee headed by Supreme Court Judge Yasantha Kodagoda has been appointed to study and report on the new laws and amendments needed to establish these offices. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Rs. 5 billion worth of ‘ice’-heroin in the fishing vessel seized by the navy
Aruna, Dinamina, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) seized over 335 kg of narcotics from a multi-day fishing trawler during a deep-sea operation, escorting the vessel to the Dikkowita fisheries harbour yesterday (2nd).
The haul, valued at over Rs. 5 billion, consisted of approximately 250 kg of ‘ice’ and 85 kg of heroin.
Six fishers were arrested on the trawler, and the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) subsequently arrested the vessel’s owner in Galle.
The narcotics are suspected to be linked to international traffickers in Pakistan, France, and Dubai, as well as imprisoned local figures.
Inspecting the seizure, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera stated that drug trafficking, which previously occurred with political patronage, will be eradicated under the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (A Nation United) National Mission.
A [tax] net from the budget to catch tax evaders; relief for essential goods; a relief package for low-income earners; the vehicle tax to remain unchanged; a target of Rs. 4.6 trillion for tax revenue next year
Lankadeepa, Virakesari
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to present the 2026 budget in parliament this Friday (7th), which will reportedly introduce new measures to bring tax-evading sectors into the tax net.
Sources claim the government aims to increase the 2026 revenue targets for Sri Lanka Customs, the Inland Revenue Department, and the Excise Department by Rs. 600 billion, with a total estimated revenue target of around Rs. 4.6 trillion for these departments.
The budget is also expected to include relief for essential goods, and a relief package for low-income earners.
In line with IMF recommendations, measures will be taken to boost foreign direct investment and exports, while vehicle taxes are expected to remain unchanged.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “3,361 arrested over three days under the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (A Nation United) National Mission” – The police spokesperson– Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan, Thinakkural
2. 20 officers of the Judicial Service Commission removed from duties; a High Court judge also among them; seven have had their service terminated – Divaina, Lankadeepa, Thinakaran
3. Extending school hours by 30 minutes: “The opposition of the teachers and principals has been conveyed in writing” – The general secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union – Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakkural
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