13 November 2025 | Vol. 11, #204

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: Tamil politicians have links with drug mafias; Minister Chandrasekar states this is the reality of the Northern Province in Parliament; also accepts the army’s involvement | “Government is neglecting Buddhism” – Opposition Leader Sajith accuses

Thinakaran: “Conspiracy in the Opposition to prevent the salary increase of plantation workers” – Samantha Vidyarathna | ‘France Ruban’ joining Dawood Ibrahim’s network? | Pictorial: Presidential Media Awards; Thinakaran journalist Lawrence honoured

Thinakkural: “It is true that the army and police are behind the drug problem in the North! Tamil politicians are also involved” – says Minister Chandrasekar | World Bank warning; Sri Lanka to pay USD 600,000 | “Don’t kneel before the IMF; the government bows down before Western nations” – Dilith | “The army and police have no connection (to the drug trade in the North)” – says the Deputy Minister of Defence

Thamilan: “Tamil politicians with drug mafias”; Minister Chandrasekar accuses; and slams the situation in the North as severe | “The IMF is the God of the Government” – says MP Dilith | Pictorial: The Presidential Media Awards ceremony for the year 2025 was held the day before yesterday (11). Three journalists from Liberty Publishers (Private) Limited received special awards at this ceremony

Lankadeepa: Chaotic situation following bomb blast: the cricket team that went to Pakistan to return? | The Kirinda ‘ice’ incident: a satellite phone in the possession of the Pradeshiya Sabha worker of the ‘Ate Kalliya’ [Gang of eight]; Rs. 500,000 to bring 343 kg of drugs ashore: contracted by ‘Dubai Ran Malli’; six vehicles that were to transport the drugs also seized

Divaina: Drugs worth Rs. 4 billion belonging to ‘Ran Malli’ caught from the Kirinda Adagala shore: seven individuals who were to transport the ‘ice’ arrested along with seven vehicles | Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, who was arrested over causing a Rs. 4.75 million loss to the insurance corporation while favouring a brokerage firm, granted bail

Mawbima: The largest haul of drugs found on land: the 350 kg of ‘ice’ found in Kirinda was supposed to be transported to Kaduwela: eight arrested with six vehicles; contracted by ‘Ran Malli’ | The cricket team that left for Pakistan contemplating return: president intervenes in terms of providing security

Dinamina: “Aid given for estates by the World Bank worth USD 500,000 has been distributed among political allies” – Minister Samantha Vidyarathna tells parliament | Drugs worth Rs. 3 billion seized from the Kirinda coast

Aruna: ‘Ice’ haul worth Rs. 4 billion seized in Tissamaharama while being pulled ashore; six vehicles also arrived to transport drugs to Kaduwela, Angoda, and Borella

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only  

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

“Is there a connection between the drug trade and the security forces?” – Aruna Jayasekara requests MP Gajendrakumar to reveal the details

Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural

Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, speaking in Parliament yesterday (12th), denied accusations that security forces are involved in the drug trade in the North.

He challenged MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam to disclose the specific details of any army or police personnel involved, including their service areas, adding that an investigation would be conducted if such information is provided.

Jayasekara also stated that the NPP government is fulfilling its promises and maintaining strict financial discipline, unlike past governments, which he said were famous for major scams involving bonds, sugar, and coconut oil.

“Economic recovery if the Prevention of Terrorism Act is repealed” – MP Selvam urges the government

Thinakkural, Virakesari

Democratic Tamil National Alliance MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan stated in Parliament yesterday (12th) that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) must be immediately repealed for the country to recover from the economic crisis.

He argued that investors are afraid to come because they fear that if they invest, the PTA could be used to investigate their funds, questioning if it is LTTE money.

Adaikkalanathan criticised the government for not focusing on its promise to repeal the PTA, even after a year had passed.

He also questioned the delay in the Talaimannar-Rameswaram ferry service, asking if it was being halted for ethnic reasons because it involves the North.

He urged the president to accept India’s help on this matter to bolster the economy.

“Provincial Election Law can be amended in a single day” – MP Imran Maharoof advises the government

Thinakkural, Virakesari

SJB MP Imran Maharoof stated that while the President noted funds are allocated for provincial council elections but a law is lacking, resolving this legal hurdle is not a major matter.

He pointed out that the ruling party has a 159-seat majority.

Maharoof suggested that if the government introduces a legal amendment, the issue could be resolved within a single day through a vote.

“Provincial Councils with all powers must be established; The election should be held next year itself” – MP Srinath urges

Thamilan, Virakesari

ITAK MP Elayathamby Srinath, speaking in Parliament yesterday (12th), welcomed positive aspects of the Budget, including plans to reduce the Budget deficit, the housing scheme for war-affected people, and the plantation worker salary increase.

He thanked the government for the funds allocated to Batticaloa but highlighted the need for infrastructure in Paduvankarai and Eluvankarai, as well as for new fishing harbours.

He requested that arrangements be made this year for commemorations at the Thandiyadi Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam (LTTE cemetery).

He reminded the government that a large number of people in the North and East voted for Tamil nationalism.

Srinath urged the government not just to allocate funds but to use its majority to hold Provincial Council elections next year with all powers as a minimum solution.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

The illegal asset case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa: ‘Daisy Achchi’ has dementia

Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna

Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, yesterday (12th), questioned the defence lawyers as to why an order issued nine years ago by the Gangodawila and Mount Lavinia District Courts regarding the property ownership and medical condition of the defendant named Daisy Forrest—who is a defendant in the case filed against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act—had not been presented to any court to date.

The High Court Judge raised this query when President’s Counsel Anil De Silva, appearing for the defence, submitted that it was not possible to continue pursuing a case against Forrest because she is suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

“The army was given directives to release lands with LTTE cemeteries” – Minister of Fisheries states in Kilinochchi

Divaina

Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Defence Secretary to take steps to release lands belonging to LTTE cemeteries that remain under military occupation.

Speaking to the media following the Kilinochchi District Coordinating Committee meeting, Chandrasekar stated that the directive had come directly from the president, and that the army would “soon vacate the lands” within any occupied resting places – where the bodies of thousands of fallen LTTE cadres were buried.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS