DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Inclusion of minorities in the Archaeological Committee; the gazette notification will be issued in a couple of days” – Cabinet Spokesperson announces | Pictorial: Acting Auditor General G.H.D. Dharmapala handed over the Auditor General’s Annual Report for 2024 to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne Thinakaran: “It is the government’s responsibility to boost foreign exchange earnings; Plan to strengthen national income; Parties representing the upcountry (Malaiyagam) did nothing” – Nalinda Jayatissa | “Vehicles are to improve government efficiency; Will not be given to MPs” – Nalinda Jayatissa | New Delhi car bomb explosion; Investigation in many angles | Sri Lanka expresses condolences to those who died in the Indian bomb blast |
Thinakkural: “Government involved in a planned act of genocide; 250 crore rupees in the budget for land grabbing in the North; ‘Kivul Oya’ reservoir project by seizing the ancestral tanks, paddy fields, and villages of Tamils in Vavuniya North” – MP Ravikaran alleges | Suicides happened due to microfinance institutions in the North and East | Easter Sunday Attack; Ban on the arrest of Army officer again Thamilan: Advice for Provincial Council Election; Re-examine the Delimitation Report! Elections Commissioner General insists | BYD vehicles release; Customs agrees |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Rs. 270 million earned in 21 months: indictments served on Keheliya Rambukwella’s son: orders given to record fingerprints as well Divaina: 355 kg of ‘ice’ and heroin found in the possession of ‘Avishka Putha’ that was apprehended in the Maldives: The boat, the crew of five and the haul of drugs will be brought to Sri Lanka on orders of the AG of Maldives – Police | India shaken by the suicide bomb attack in New Delhi! 13 dead and 20 injured; bomber suspected to be a doctor; four doctors were arrested by intelligence units before the attack | 12 dead in a suicide bomb attack in Pakistan yesterday afternoon Mawbima: Atmospheres in several areas of the country affected by air pollution: Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Mannar, Puttalam and Batticaloa affected heavily | Keheliya’s son Ramith Rambukwella served with indictment after failing to explain how he gained assets worth Rs. 270 million, including two luxury houses in Colombo, a luxury jeep and four bank accounts
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Dinamina: “No new vehicles for all 225 MPs: none for those who have already received vehicles; new vehicles to be taken for state service; Mahindananda has sold his permit for Rs. 25 million; Saman Rathnapriya has taken a permit for his seven-day MP term” – Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa Aruna: This newspaper was unavailable at the time of publishing FrontPage Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
“Stop the ‘Kivul Oya’ reservoir project; It is another form of genocide against the Tamils” – MP Ravikaran
Thamilan, Thinakkural, Virakesari
ITAK MP Thurairasa Ravikaran alleged in Parliament on Tuesday that the ‘Kivul Oya’ reservoir project in Vavuniya North is a form of structured genocide against the Tamil people.
Speaking during the third day of the 2026 Budget debate, he strongly opposed the Rs. 2.5 billion allocated to the project, which is managed by the Mahaweli Development Authority (L) Zone.
Ravikaran claimed the project, which involves damming the Ma Oya and Suriyan Aru, will submerge over ten ancient Tamil irrigation tanks, their associated farmlands, and several traditional Tamil villages.
He also stated that the plan is to provide 6,000 acres of irrigated land to 2,000 Sinhalese settlers in Weli Oya, and urged Parliament to “stop this structured genocidal act immediately.”
“Inclusion of minorities in the Archaeological Committee; the gazette notification will be issued in a couple of days” – Cabinet Spokesperson announcesThinakkural, Virakesari Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Cabinet has decided to include Tamil and Muslim representatives in the Archaeological Advisory Committee. Speaking at the cabinet media briefing yesterday (11th), he announced that the gazette notification for this will be issued within one or two days. Minister Jayatissa added that all individuals will be represented without discrimination based on race, language, religion, or gender, and equal opportunities will be provided based on archaeological qualifications. This follows the recent appointment of a 19-member committee by Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi. |
“Devolution of power is essential for reconciliation” – Principal Secretary of the Swiss Embassy
Thamilan First Secretary for Political Affairs of the Swiss Embassy, Justine Boillat, stated that power devolution for the Tamil people will strengthen reconciliation. Speaking at an event in Jaffna titled ‘Political Solution and Accountability’, organised by the Centre for Law and Human Rights Studies, she noted that new constitutional reform is essential for reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka. Boillat added that this would create peace and a non-violent environment between communities and strengthen the country’s political stability. She expressed her belief that new constitutional reforms are necessary to prevent the recurrence of past bitter incidents. |
Advice for Provincial Council Election; Re-examine the Delimitation Report! Elections Commissioner General insists
Thamilan Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake has urged the government to review the Delimitation Report completed by the Election Commission, as discussions on holding provincial council (PC) elections are resuming. Speaking at an event on Monday (10th), he pointed out that all 225 members of the previous parliament rejected this report without any review, and it was subsequently sidelined during the 52-day political crisis. Ratnayake stated this is the best time to re-examine the report and implement legal reforms. The PC elections have been stalled since 2017 due to this legal impasse. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Chandana Abeyratne has announced that the government will consult all political parties and civil organisations to reach a decision on the electoral system for the PC polls. |
Easter Sunday attacks: Ban on the arrest of Colonel Maddumage extended
Thinakkural, Virakesari The Court of Appeal, yesterday (11th), extended an interim order until January 29, 2026, preventing the arrest of Colonel Kelum Siripathi Maddumage, the former Commander of the 3rd Regiment of Military Intelligence. This relates to new CID investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks. The CID has accused the Colonel of misleading the probe into the November 2018 murder of two police officers in Vavunathivu by falsely attributing it to the LTTE, despite receiving information on the same day that linked Zahran Hashim’s group. Two police officers involved with intelligence have already been arrested in this investigation. President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, appearing for the Colonel, argued that the petition was filed only to prevent his client’s arrest and not to obstruct the investigation. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Company director remanded for illegal ilmenite mining at Aruwakkalu
Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina
The Executive Director of Asha Minerals Pvt Ltd was arrested over allegations of causing massive environmental destruction within the land of significant archaeological value belonging to the Cement Corporation in Aruwakkalu.
The arrest was made by the Central Anti-Corruption Strike Force in Walana following 12 hours of questioning and recording statements.
Initial investigations have revealed violations under multiple laws, including the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Act, Antiquities Ordinance, Forest Ordinance, Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, and the Motor Traffic Act.
70% of all investigations have been completed – Police Spokesperson
Dinamina The Police have now been able to conclude investigations into nearly 70% of the total crimes reported in the country. Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler, stated at a media briefing held at the Police Media Division yesterday (11th) that while investigating crimes, shootings, accidents, and serious accidents reported to the police is a challenge, the Sri Lanka Police has the capability to investigate these challenges promptly, independently, and without influence. |
“Many immediate steps were taken to curb plastic waste” – Minister Dhammika Patabendi
Dinamina Minister of Environment Dhammika Patabendi stated that the Sri Lankan government has already taken several systematic and prompt steps to curb plastic pollution. He added further that several single-use plastic items have already been banned, which symbolises the government’s commitment to a clean, green programme. The Minister further stated that laws alone are not enough to prevent plastic pollution and that a true transformation will occur when the public supports the government’s green policies. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Rs. 270 million earned in 21 months: indictments served on Keheliya Rambukwella’s son: orders given to record fingerprints as well
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Virakesari
The son of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Ramith Rambukwella, was served with indictments in the Colombo High Court yesterday (11th) on charges related to the illegal accumulation of assets.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) presented the indictments filed against Rambukwella.
Following submissions, the High Court ordered the release of the accused on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each.
The judge also directed that Ramith Rambukwella’s fingerprints be recorded and a corresponding report submitted to the court.
The case in question was filed under the Anti-Corruption Act, and it alleges that Ramith Rambukwella, who served as the private secretary to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, failed to account for the acquisition of assets and properties valued at over Rs. 296 million between January 1, 2022, and November 14, 2023.
“New houses for 62,000 low-income earners: 2,500 for the Eastern region; 2,500 for the estate community; 50,000 for suburban areas” – Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath
Dinamina, Thinakkural
Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply T.B. Sarath stated that the government plans to construct over 62,000 houses in 2026, focusing on rural low-income families, the estate community, and residents of urban housing schemes in Colombo.
Deputy Minister Sarath made this statement while participating in the Second Reading debate on the Budget for the year 2026 in parliament yesterday (11th).
He also mentioned that funds have been allocated to construct 2,500 units for the estate community and 50,000 houses in the suburban areas of Colombo.
Rs. 6.5 billion has been allocated for low-income residents living in various suburban areas of Colombo.
He added that 2,500 houses will also be built in the North and Eastern provinces.
The Minister also stated that funds were allocated for this purpose in the previous Budget as well, under which 3,000 houses were built at the village level.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “No new vehicles for all 225 MPs: none for those who have already received vehicles; new vehicles to be taken for state service; Mahindananda has sold his permit for Rs. 25 million; Saman Rathnapriya has taken a permit for his seven-day MP term” – Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa – Dinamina, Thinakaran
2. India shaken by the suicide bomb attack in New Delhi! 13 dead and 20 injured; bomber suspected to be a doctor; four doctors were arrested by intelligence units before the attack – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. A suicide bomb attack in Pakistan: 12 dead, 27 wounded – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari
4. 355 kg of ‘ice’ and heroin found in the possession of ‘Avishka Putha’ that was apprehended in the Maldives: The boat, the crew of five and the haul of drugs will be brought to Sri Lanka on orders of the AG of Maldives – Police – Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakkural
5. Orders issued to release 625 BYD vehicles that have been held at the Customs – Divaina, Thamilan
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