DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Buddha statue re-erected in the same place; re-installed under police protection within 15 hours of removal; Trincomalee Mayor files a complaint | “Attempt to racialise the Trincomalee incident” – Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala states in Parliament | “Appropriate legal action in the Buddha statue issue” – Justice Minister states in Parliament Thinakaran: Trincomalee Buddha statue issue; “No one will be allowed to incite racism” – Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala | “The pension scheme for fisherfolk will be introduced on November 21st” – Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar |
Thinakkural: In Trincomalee, the government yielded to Buddhist-Sinhala chauvinism; Buddha statue erected again! Placed with heavy police protection | “Buddha statue placed for the rally on the 21st” – MP Shanakiyan strongly accuses Thamilan: Buddha statue installed in Trincomalee under the leadership of Buddhist monks and heavy security | Major controversy due to Buddha statue! Tense situation in Trincomalee; “removed statue placed back in the same location” – Minister Ananda Wijepala states | “Do not play with the Buddhist order (Sasana)” – Sarath Weerasekara | Buddha statue issue; Controversy in Parliament due to refusal to allow discussion |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The statue of Buddha that was taken in the midst of opposition from the Sangha in Trincomalee, brought back by the police Divaina: This newspaper was unavailable at the time of publishing FrontPage Mawbima: Trincomalee: the police returns the Buddha statue that was forcefully removed | Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Maha Chapter strongly condemns the incident | “The police took away the statue for increased protection” – Ananda Wijepala
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Dinamina: Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death – The criminal court of Bangladesh issues verdict; Bangladeshi government asks India to hand over Hasina; former Home Minister also served with death penalty, former police chief sentenced to five years; public celebrates on the streets Aruna: Trincomalee heated over the Buddha statue incident Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Trincomalee incident on installation of Buddha statue: Statements by Tamil politicians Sumanthiran, Shanakiyan and Ponnambalam
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
Virakesari, Thinakkural: ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran demanded the immediate resignation of all Tamil MPs representing the NPP government, including Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, accusing the administration of cowardly surrendering to majoritarian forces.
This demand follows the government’s decision to allow an unauthorised Buddha statue on the Trincomalee beach.
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan: ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam alleged that the overnight placement of a Buddha statue on the Trincomalee Beach Road was a preparatory move for the opposition’s rally scheduled for the 21st.
He urged SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa to employ alternative methods to mobilise crowds for the protest against the government, rather than resorting to racism.
Furthermore, Shanakiyan stated that the NPP is unsuitable for Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra.
Consequently, he called on the deputy minister to resign from his portfolio and join ITAK.
Virakesari, Thinakkural: TNPF Leader MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam accused the government of committing a grave betrayal against the Tamil people by surrendering to “Sinhala thugs” regarding the unauthorised Buddha statue in Trincomalee.
He observed that ordinary Sinhala citizens did not oppose the removal of the statue, as they had voted for the government to eradicate racism.
Ponnambalam asserted that the administration should have stood by justice and explained the situation to the public rather than retreating in the face of hooliganism.
Trincomalee incident on installation of Buddha statue: Statements by opposition politicians Namal, Dayasiri, Sarath Weerasekara and DilithThamilan, Thinakkural, Virakesari Thamilan, Thinakkural: SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara claimed that the police attacked monks and removed the Buddha statue in Trincomalee following a telephone call received by a minister regarding the matter. Thamilan: Rear Admiral (Retd) Sarath Weerasekara stated that the government should not attempt to play with the Buddhist people and the Sasana. He pointed out that a large number of Sinhala Buddhists had voted for this government, and those voters are now expressing concern and questioning if this is the government they voted for, in light of its recent actions. Thamilan: Sarvajana Balaya leader MP Dilith Jayaweera stated that Buddhism is a philosophy that completely rejects racism. He accused the government of failing to adhere to this principle and instead attempting to portray racism as existing where it does not. Thinakkural: SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa warned the government to intervene immediately in the Trincomalee Buddha statue incident, urging them not to allow it to escalate into a communal conflict. He disputed the government’s claim that the statue was removed for protection, alleging instead that police assaulted two monks, who were subsequently hospitalised. Namal cautioned the government against inciting racial tension to gain a political advantage in the upcoming Provincial Council elections in the North and East. |
Trincomalee incident on installation of Buddha statue: Statements by ministersThinakkural, Virakesari Virakesari, Thinakkural: Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala urged all parties not to transform the Trincomalee incident into a racial or religious conflict. He stated that the issue is currently a judicial matter and asserted that the government would not interfere in the legal proceedings. Thinakkural: Watagala condemned the remarks made by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa regarding the incident. He described the opposition leader’s comments as being of a very low standard. Virakesari, Thinakkural: Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara stated that appropriate legal action will be taken regarding the Trincomalee Buddha statue incident. He emphasised that there is no separate law for Tamils, Muslims, or Buddhist monks in the country. Nanayakkara asserted that everyone must adhere to the common law. Virakesari, Thinakkural: Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra expressed concern regarding the Trincomalee Buddha statue incident, alleging that there is political interference behind the event. He stated that a certain group is acting to promote racism and assured that appropriate action will be taken regarding the matter. |
“Repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act; The draft bill is ready; It will be published in the Gazette” – says the government
Virakesari, Thamilan Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the special committee appointed to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) has submitted the draft, which will be gazetted shortly after being translated into Sinhala and Tamil. Speaking in parliament yesterday (17th), Nanayakkara emphasised that the government remains committed to its promise to repeal the PTA and is enacting laws to serve the public rather than political agendas. He further noted that a committee led by the prime minister has approved the recruitment of 2,871 new personnel to address staff shortages in the judiciary. |
ITAK meets president on ThursdayThinakkural, Virakesari A meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) is scheduled to take place at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow (19th). ITAK leader C.V.K. Sivagnanam, General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran, and ITAK MPs from the North and East are expected to attend the discussion. The meeting was arranged following a written request by the party leadership to discuss the national ethnic issue and the government’s “failure to fulfil election promises despite completing one year in office.” Virakesari: Notably, ITAK abstained from the vote on the Second Reading of the 2026 Budget based on the assurance that this meeting time would be granted. Thinakkural reports that the meeting will take place on Thursday (20th). |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
The price of 350 medicines reduced
Lankadeepa, Dinamina
Chairperson of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Dr Ananda Wijewickrama, stated that the prices of 350 types of medicines used for various diseases, including paediatrics, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure, have been reduced.
The Chair made this statement while addressing a special press conference held yesterday (17th) at the Auditorium of the Department of Government Information, with the aim of informing the public about the price reduction.
Wijewickrama stated that this price reduction provides an opportunity for the public to obtain medicine at a fair and appropriate price.
He also requested the public to take steps to inform the authorities about institutions that sell medicines at higher prices going forward.
Investigations into travel bans imposed on 750 police officers
Dinamina The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the court that a broad investigation has been launched regarding the travel ban imposed on over 700 to 750 police officers in connection with investigations carried out into various divisions of the Police Department. The CID informed the court of this matter by filing a motion stating that further investigations into the incident have been launched. The report further states that the investigation will examine the grounds on which the foreign travel ban orders were issued against the police officers, the situation that has arisen due to these orders, and will also look into the investigations that have been carried out concerning them. |
Hearing of illegal assets case against Mervyn Silva commences
Dinamina The hearing of the prosecution’s evidence in the illegal asset case against former Minister Mervyn Silva commenced yesterday (17th). He is charged with maintaining assets, vehicles, and bank accounts valued at over Rs. 150 million. “These assets could not have been earned through his legitimate income sources,” it was claimed. The alleged accumulation occurred during the two-year period he served as the Minister of Labour and Labour Relations. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Northeastern Monitor
The statue of Buddha that was taken in the midst of opposition from the Sangha in Trincomalee, brought back by the police | “Will not let the statue issue in Trincomalee stir up religious disharmony in any way” – Ananda Wijepala
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
A tense situation erupted in Trincomalee on Sunday (16th) evening after police officers removed a Buddha statue that had been placed on the premises of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya.
The action led to immediate protests from resident monks and local devotees.
While the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya is registered with the Department of Buddhist Affairs and has been in existence since 1951, it had decided to recommence activities for its Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiwardhana Dhamma School.
The original school was destroyed during the 2004 tsunami disaster.
Accordingly, the Chief Incumbent of the Viharaya and devotees held a foundation-laying ceremony on Sunday (16th) morning.
Arrangements were subsequently made in the afternoon to place a Buddha statue at the site.
However, police intervened, informing the Chief Incumbent that the Department of Coast Conservation had lodged a complaint, alleging the construction was unauthorised.
Despite the objection, police proceeded to remove the Buddha statue from the temple premises last night, triggering widespread protests from the monks and local residents who had gathered at the site.
Papers reported that the statue that was thus taken was returned to the Vihara by the police yesterday (17th).
A heated situation arose in parliament in response to the events in Trincomalee.
Addressing the incident, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala stated that the statue was removed for its own safety.
He further stated that the government will not let this incident stir up any religious or racial disharmony.
“Support us in protecting economic stability” – President requests GMOA | Discussions were not successful, trade union action to continue – GMOA
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requested the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) to support the continuous maintenance of the economic stability that has been built up.
The president made this statement during a discussion with the GMOA, held yesterday (17th) at the Presidential Secretariat, following a request made by the GMOA.
The president added, “Let us all unite and build this country, instead of one becoming the requester and the other the provider.”
The president pointed out that the government does not intend to cut back on the facilities that should be afforded to professionals, including doctors, and mentioned that the proposals and requests put forward by the GMOA will be considered in the future.
Secretary of the GMOA Dr Prabhath Sugathadasa stated that the trade union action will not be suspended until a satisfactory solution is received for the problems faced by government medical officers.
Speaking further on the matter, Dr Sugathadasa stated that a discussion regarding the association’s problems was held yesterday (17th) with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
He added that the president stated that steps would be taken to resolve the issues as soon as possible.
Following that discussion, the GMOA’s executive committee convened and decided that the trade union action would continue until a satisfactory solution to the problems was received.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death – The criminal court of Bangladesh issues verdict; Bangladeshi government asks India to hand over Hasina; former Home Minister also served with death penalty, former police chief sentenced to five years; public celebrates on the streets – Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
2. “Do not let fires of religious and racial disharmony arise” | “Buddhist monks have the right to act regarding the Buddhist religion; No one has the right to interfere; Buddhism must be given priority” – Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa – Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Indictments served on the family of Keheliya Rambukwella for employing people with false appointment letters – Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakaran
4. National Lotteries Board fraud exposed: funds used for Mahinda Rajapaksa’s election work; umbrellas also distributed to Namal Rajapaksa’s supporters; Colombo Airport Super Draw lottery should have accrued Rs. 7.8 million; Rs. 33 million lost over 10 years; Chairperson M.D.C. Perera says legal action will be taken – Dinamina, Thinakaran
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