DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “The games of the companies will not work with us; the wage increase is certain from January”– Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep | Saudi Arabia issues commemorative stamps to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka Thinakaran: The 2026 Budget: A new milestone in the 200-year history of the Hill Country (Malayagam) region; praise from the Hill Country intellectuals and academics |
Thinakkural: Increase in criminal gangs fleeing to India; intense surveillance on Jaffna’s coasts; the arrival of southern murderers, criminal gangs and underworld groups to Jaffna continues | Is the LTTE trying to resurface? Is there a connection with the Dawood Ibrahim gang? | The A/L examination commences today Thamilan: Sex education in schools? Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith raises a question, voicing opposition to educational reforms | Photograph: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pays his last respects to the remains of the late Dr Rasamanickam Rajaputhiran, the father of ITAK MP R. Shanakiyan |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: A dispute over the control of funds; a tug-of-war between the CIABOC and the Treasury | The Aawa gang kills in Colombo: A contract killing in Kotahena leads to six arrests Divaina: A Sri Lankan fishing vessel seized in Maldivian waters with 300 kg of narcotics. Was the mastermind Parevi Suda or Bloemendhal Sanka? Mawbima: “Seven drug traffickers hiding in the Middle East are willing to surrender” – Wijepala | “The proposals we pensioners submitted have disappeared from the budget. If there are no revisions, expect strong opposition” – Pensioners’ associations warn
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Dinamina: “Seven drug traffickers hiding in the Middle East are willing to surrender” – Wijepala Aruna: “Seven drug traffickers hiding in the Middle East are willing to surrender” – Wijepala Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“The government has deceived unemployed graduates” – Sajith Premadasa
Virakesari, Thinakkural
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that the government has caused mental distress to unemployed graduates by breaking its promise, made in two budgets, to provide them with jobs.
Premadasa accused the government of using the graduates’ situation to establish district-level organisations, providing appointments only to the leaders, and abandoning the rest. He urged the government to provide jobs to the unemployed graduates as promised during the three elections and pledged the opposition’s full support, including the approval of supplementary allocation estimates.
The 2026 Budget: A new milestone in the 200-year history of the Hill Country (Malayagam) region; praise from the Hill Country intellectuals and academics
Thinakaran Academics and intellectuals have praised the 2026 Budget for recognising the 200-year history of the Hill Country people. They highlighted the proposal to increase the daily wage of plantation workers from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,550, as well as an incentive of Rs. 200, with effect from January 2026. The budget’s focus on developing Hatton town, reportedly neglected since the British era, and the allocation of Rs. 4,290 million for 2,000 houses for the plantation community were also welcomed. Prof. A.S. Chandrabose urged the government to ensure plantation companies adhere to paying the incentive, while Dr R. Ramesh noted the president’s warning to re-acquire mismanaged estates as a significant warning. Former State Minister P.P. Devaraj stated that the proposed technology park in Nuwara Eliya will be a driving force for the Hill Country’s economy. |
“Remove the military from the [Maaveerar Thuyilum Illams] (LTTE cemeteries)” – S. Venthan of the Crusaders for Democracy PartyThinakkural
Leader of the Crusaders for Democracy Party S. Venthan stated that the army must withdraw from the Maaveerar Thuyilum Illams (LTTE cemeteries) for genuine national reconciliation to occur. Speaking in Vadamarachchi East on Saturday (8th), he noted that while some camps have been removed, a significant number remain, preventing people from freely commemorating the dead during Maaveerar [Commemorative] Week, which is observed from November 21-27. He welcomed the recent announcement by the fisheries minister, which stated that the president has ordered the defence secretary to remove the army camps from these sites. While thanking the president, Venthan urged that this directive be transformed into action and not just remain as words. |
“The games of the companies will not work with us; the wage increase is certain from January” – Deputy Minister S. Pradeep
Virakesari Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep stated that the wage increase for plantation workers announced in the budget will be provided from January. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday (8th), Pradeed confirmed that the government has allocated Rs. 5,000 million for this purpose, noting it is the first time a government has allocated funds for the wage hike of plantation workers. He further clarified that the increase includes Rs. 200 from companies added to the basic wage and Rs. 200 from the government as an attendance incentive. Pradeep also warned plantation companies that while they might have played games with past governments, those “games won’t work with us,” and affirmed the government will definitely implement what it said. |
“What is the ITAK’s condition for working together?” – TELO says it needs to knowThinakkural
Commenting on an invitation from the ITAK to work together, Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) spokesperson Suren Gurusuwamy stated that the TELO must first understand ITAK’s conditions before making a decision. Guruswamy added that TELO, as part of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance and having an MoU with the Tamil National Council, must consult with its allied parties before deciding how to proceed. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: ONLANKA
Weerawansa to skip the upcoming rally against the government
Dinamina, Aruna
The National Freedom Front (NFF) has announced that it will not participate in the anti-government rally planned for November 21 by a coalition of opposition parties.
In a statement signed by NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa, the party added that the rally is being held without a consensus on the critical issues pertaining to the government and there is also no agreement on a comprehensive counter-programme. The NFF emphasised the need for a deeper, more meaningful protest based on alternative policy solutions rather than a narrow, symbolic demonstration.
“A budget meant to deceive the public” – KariyawasamDivaina SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam criticised the NPP government for failing to allocate funds in this year’s budget for its pre-election promise to boost the economy through graphene production from sulfuric acid and graphite. Commenting on the budget presented in parliament on November 7, Kariyawasam stated that the government has delivered a budget that mirrors the promises it made to gain power, but no provisions have been made for the projects it pledged to implement rapidly to strengthen the economy. |
“The budget was disappointing” – The GMOAAruna
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) expressed disappointment over the 2026 Budget, stating that it fails to tackle long-standing problems in Sri Lanka’s health system. Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, GMOA Spokesperson Dr Chamil Wijesinghe warned that hospitals could soon face collapse. Wijesinghe also highlighted contradictions between the government’s election promises and current budget policies, adding that the association had submitted its recommendations to the president on July 30 in hopes of prioritisation. |
“The government has restored financial discipline” – The PM
Mawbima
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya informed the parliament on November 8 that this year’s budget demonstrates the government’s commitment to financial discipline. Speaking during the debate on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (2026) the prime minister emphasised that this fiscal discipline reflects careful planning, visionary leadership and strong commitment, while also highlighting efforts to improve public service efficiency and promote sustainable growth.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
“Seven drug traffickers hiding in the Middle East are willing to surrender” – Wijepala
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala stated yesterday (9th) that seven drug traffickers currently hiding in the Middle East have expressed their willingness to surrender to Sri Lankan authorities.
Speaking at the Colombo District Operation Programme of the “Ratama Ekata” National Mission, the minister noted that the traffickers seek pardon and intend to abandon their involvement in drug operations, highlighting growing societal awareness of the need to eradicate the drug menace from the country.
“International organisations are promoting sex education to Grade Six students” – The cardinal
Lankadeepa, Aruna, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
The archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, has expressed concern over the introduction of “inappropriate sex education” to Grade Six students, slated to begin with educational reforms next January.
Speaking at the reopening of St. Stephen’s Church in Kinadeniya, Mirigama, the cardinal stated that teachers will be trained and awareness programs held on content such as birth control and same-sex relationships. He accused international organisations of funding the initiative and misleading Sri Lankan children.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. A Sri Lankan fishing vessel seized with 300 kg of heroin: Police and navy team heads to the Maldives – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari
2. The G.C.E. Advanced Level examination for 2025 commences today – Dinamina, Aruna, Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran
3. A suspect linked to a Kotahena murder arrested in Jaffna – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Thamilan
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