DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Form a committee under the Prime Minister” – Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka requests the government regarding the Provincial Council elections | “Hold the Provincial Council election if you can” – Opposition’s Ranjith Madduma Bandara challenges Thinakaran: “Opposition MPs opposing the government’s wage hike for plantation workers!” – MP Palani Thigambaram severely criticises | “Solution will be provided for the demands of the nurses in the North after discussions” – Nalinda Jayatissa | Inquiry into the compensation illegally obtained by former ministers | “Never interfered in the administrative activities of Jaffna University” – MP Rajeevan |
Thinakkural: “There is no opposition to Sinhala people living in the North and East; We won’t allow attempts to change the demographic composition; If drugs are to be eradicated, the Army must be withdrawn from there” – MP Gajendrakumar emphasises | Thirumavalavan pays tribute at Mullivaikkal | ITAK invites other parties to discuss the unity of Tamil parties Thamilan: Provincial Election with delimitation – Government decides | “Hand over the Maaveerar Thuyilum Illams (Great Heroes’ cemeteries) to the people!” – MP Kodeeswaran urges in Parliament| Vote on the second reading of the Budget, today |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Three high-ranking officials summoned before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for insulting COPE; “There is no one outside [the parliament] who has the power to challenge the parliament” – The Leader of the House Divaina: The case drags on [on the alleged LTTE attack on Maithripala Sirisena], defendants held in remand custody for 16 years Mawbima: Three valuable gems disappear from a temple belonging to the Malwathu Maha Viharaya
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Dinamina: “The power attained is solely for the people” – The president states at the 36th Commemoration of November Heroes Aruna: The elephant census that cost Rs. 140 million lies forgotten for one year Anidda: A complaint to the bribery commission on the 1,775 double cabs |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
“Withdraw the Army from the North and East!” MP Gajendrakumar accuses security forces of being responsible for drug distribution
Thamilan, Thinakkural, Virakesari
Tamil National People’s Front leader MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam stated in Parliament yesterday (13th) that “the army is involved in drug distribution in the North and East.”
He claimed this is acknowledged in district committee meetings, despite the Deputy Defence Minister’s denial, and argued that drugs cannot be eradicated without the military’s withdrawal.
Ponnambalam also criticised the 2026 Budget for allocating nothing for the North, stating the ‘system change’ government has failed to recognise the region’s special needs after 35 years of war.
He strongly opposed the Lower Malwathu Oya Project as a “planned activity” to change the demography of the region, while clarifying that he does not oppose Sinhalese living in the North and East.
He urged the government to accept India’s readiness to develop Palaly Airport, arguing that the allocated Rs. 250 million is insufficient and that linking with the South Indian economy is vital for development.
“Government’s promises have not been fulfilled” – Sumanthiran points out to the French AmbassadorVirakesari ITAK’s General Secretary, M.A. Sumanthiran, pointed out to French Ambassador Rémi Lambert that the government has not fulfilled even its practical election promises. During a meeting yesterday (13th) at Sumanthiran’s Colombo residence, he stated that after one year in power, the government has not taken initial steps to resolve the national ethnic issue, abolish the executive presidency, or repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Sumanthiran added that the government has rejected the UNHRC resolution and is not prepared to accept international engagement on accountability. He also noted that the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) is not functioning properly, and that the government shows no interest in advancing ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam’s private member’s bill to hold provincial elections. The French Ambassador reportedly expressed pleasure in the discussion and announced plans to visit the North and East soon. |
“Hand over the Maaveerar Thuyilum Illams (Great Heroes’ cemeteries) to the people!” – MP Kodeeswaran urges in Parliament
Thamilan, Thinakkural Speaking in Parliament yesterday (13th) during the fifth day of the Budget debate, ITAK MP Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran urged the government to hand over all Maaveerar Thuyilum Illams in the North and East to the people and to officially recognise these sites. He stated that if the sites are handed over, the Tamil people would cover all maintenance costs, and no government funds would be required. The MP called for the removal of the military presence from these “sacred places” to allow people to commemorate independently. He also noted that he was paying respects on the commemoration day of JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera, who was killed by state forces, and highlighted that Maaveerar Naal is also observed in the North and East during this month. |
Provincial Election with delimitation – Government decidesThamilan Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government A.H.M.H. Abayarathna stated that the provincial council election is postponed due to the lack of a delimitation report for the new mixed electoral system. Speaking to the media in Colombo yesterday (13th), he said the government has decided to prepare a new delimitation report. The minister noted that this new report will be introduced after obtaining the views of all stakeholders, including parliamentary representatives, political parties, and other interested groups. He added that initial steps for this have begun, and the election will be held at the first available opportunity. |
“Hold the Provincial Election at least under the old system!” MP Gayantha requests the appointment of a committee led by the Prime MinisterThamilan, Virakesari Chief Opposition Whip MP Gayantha Karunathilleka urged the Speaker in Parliament yesterday (13th) to appoint a committee under the Prime Minister to discuss holding provincial council elections soon. He stated that his party is ready to support holding elections even under the old system, allowing people the opportunity to establish provincial councils. He criticised President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for citing legal issues after promising elections within one year, noting Rs. 10 billion had been allocated. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
“The power attained is solely for the people” – The president states at the 36th Commemoration of November Heroes
Dinamina, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that power is not a tool to oppress the public, emphasising that his government cannot be compared to previous regimes.
Speaking at the JVP’s 36th Il Maha Viru Samaruma (Commemoration of November Heroes) at the Viharamahadevi Park open-air theatre yesterday (13th), he noted that the party previously commemorated its fallen members, including founder Rohana Wijeweera, while seeking power, but now does so having attained it.
The president criticised the opposition’s “voice cut” politics, and asserted that he will mobilise public power against “reactionary” forces next year.
He also remarked that the economy is strengthening, and predicted the country would be able to pay its debts by 2028.
A complaint to the bribery commission on the 1,775 double cabs
Anidda The SJB is set to file a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) regarding the government’s procurement of 1,775 new double cabs, states SJB MP Mujibur Rahman. He noted that a party team is studying the procurement, which allegedly violates guidelines by failing to provide the minimum bidding time and lacking cabinet approval. Rahman also stated that the transaction is being handled by a ministry-level committee lacking the authority for such a large purchase, which he described as the largest vehicle deal by any government. He confirmed the matter will be raised at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) as well. |
Recommendations on human rights for a new [counter] terrorism bill
Anidda Repealing the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) would weaken national security, stated President’s Counsel (PC) Rienzie Arsecularatne. Arsecularatne, who chairs the committee appointed to provide recommendations for repealing the PTA, submitted the committee’s report to the Minister of Justice and National Integration on November 13. He explained that the report includes recommendations for a proposed draft bill, addressing the human rights of those arrested and their rights during detention. Arsecularatne also noted that the NPP had pledged to repeal the PTA in its pre-election manifesto, a proposal he said the public had accepted. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
The Sri Lankan [cricket] team’s fear subsides | Will not leave Pakistan: The cricket team changes its decision
Aruna, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Anidda. Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural
The Sri Lankan cricket team’s tour in Pakistan was jeopardised after a bomb blast near Islamabad on November 11 prompted several players to request an immediate return home.
Following the incident, Pakistani authorities, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, provided assurances of “state guest” level security, deploying the army and paramilitary rangers.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also intervened, advising the team to continue the tour as a gesture of gratitude for Pakistan’s support during the 1996 World Cup.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reinforced the decision, warning players who abandoned the tour of potential two-year bans.
The tour will now proceed under heightened security with a rescheduled timeline, with all remaining matches to be played in Rawalpindi.
The petition on irregularities related to the Aragalaya period compensation: The SC requests the addresses of six powerful figures, including Gota [Gotabaya Rajapaksa]
Aruna, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Thinakaran
The Supreme Court, yesterday (13th), considered a Fundamental Rights petition filed by senior lawyer Dr Ravindranath Dabare challenging the legality of compensation paid to 43 former ministers and MPs for property damage sustained on May 9, 2022, during the Aragalaya (struggle).
The petition alleges that the compensation, reportedly Rs. 1.22 billion, was paid unlawfully and exceeded legal limits.
The attorney general (AG) informed the court that he would not appear for seven of the respondents, including former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne, and former Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga and Tiran Alles.
The three-judge bench also ordered the petitioner to submit the correct addresses for these four, as well as several other respondents, via a motion.
The petition was subsequently postponed and is set to be recalled on January 28.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Photograph: The JVP’s Il Maha Samaruma (Commemoration of November Heroes) held yesterday – Aruna, Dinamina, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Thinakaran, Thamilan, Virakesari
2. “Happy that the people have been provided relief [through the 2026 Budget]” – Thigambaram – Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. The vote on the second reading on the 2026 Budget in parliament today – Lankadeepa, Thinakkural, Thamilan
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