DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Act without fear; we will protect you” – The president assures the tri-forces, police and intelligence units | “We will take steps to win justice for the Tamil people” – The UK All-Party Parliamentary Group assures Thinakaran: “A situation has been created where children will not become addicted to drugs; drug traffickers will no longer have political protection” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake | The secretary to the Ministry of Education explains the school hours extension |
Thinakkural: “Various political conspiracies to thwart the government’s actions against drugs; we will defeat them and move forward” – President Anura | The opposition parties’ rally against the government today in Nugegoda; a special transport plan implemented today! Thamilan: The rally against the government today! Opposition parties prepare to gather in Nugegoda; heavy security arrangements since last night | “I will not allow the nation to fall victim to the drug threat” – President Anura vows in Tangalle | Ranil will not attend the Nugegoda rally; travels to India to attend Jeevan [Thondman]’s wedding | “Trade union action will intensify from next week if there is no solution” – The GMOA warns |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The importation of the LECO chair’s luxury vehicle halted: Investigations to continue on the incident; Rs. 620 million allocated to import 17 vehicles for LECO Divaina: The “Ratama Ekata” National Mission commences in the South: “Will destroy the apex of the toxic drug network” – The president states in Tangalle Mawbima: Relatives of criminals terror-struck by the continued shootings in the South | The “Maha Jana Handa” rally bringing together 17 parties and organisations to be held in Nugegoda today; a special traffic plan for Nugegoda
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Dinamina: “We will permanently dismantle the drug and underworld networks built on political power. We have established a system where drug traffickers receive no political protection” – The president says in Tangalle Aruna: “221 prisoners illegally released: No documents on how nine prisoners were freed” – The CID informs the court Anidda: “A situation has arisen in which FR petitions are being rejected in large numbers” – MP Ajith P. Perera |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
“The government is attempting to establish 14 wind turbines in Mannar; the NPP must be held accountable” – MP Shanakiyan urges
Virakesari, Thinakkural
Speaking in parliament yesterday (20th) during the Committee Stage debate for the 2026 Budget, ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, pointed out a contradiction in the president’s stance on wind power in Mannar. The MP claimed that the president, who promised during the presidential election that new wind power plants would not be permitted in Mannar, is now saying that 14 wind power plants must be constructed in the area against the wishes of the residents.
He declared that it is incorrect to claim the people have consented to the construction of these windmills, noting the distress among the residents. In light of this, he called for the NPP MPs in the Northern Province to be held accountable for the issue.
14 salons run by the army in the North; what Minister Bimal said is a lieThinakkural The Hairdressers’ Federation Association Northern Province rejected Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake’s recent statement in parliament that the military runs only one hair salon in the Northern Province. The association countered his claim in a media release, asserting that the military operates 14 hair salons across the five districts, listing locations near army, Special Task Force, and Civil Defence camps in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Mannar. The association stated that this commercial activity is severely impacting the livelihoods of its members and violating their regulations, and demanded the immediate closure of these salons. |
“Do not antagonise India” – MP Ajith Perera urges JayatissaThinakkural, Thamilan SJB MP Ajith P. Perera stressed that Sri Lanka should not antagonise India and must collaborate with it to develop the remaining 66 tanks in the Trincomalee oil tank farm. Perera also emphasised that the government should not prioritise an anti-Indian policy. Speaking in parliament yesterday (20th), he asserted that insulating Sri Lanka’s future economy from India is not sustainable, and the government must work harmoniously with India across various sectors. He stated that both countries should operate on a win-win policy.
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“We will work to win justice for the Tamil people” – The UK All-Party Parliamentary Group assures | “Cooperation to guarantee religious freedom” – UK parliamentary under-secretary of state announcesVirakesari A meeting was held between representatives of various British parliamentary parties and the British Tamil Forum (BTF) to discuss key issues concerning the Sri Lankan Tamil people, focusing on accountability, justice and sustainable peace. Specific topics reviewed included establishing a DNA data bank, approaching the ICC or other international investigative mechanisms and analysing the political direction of the current NPP government. The members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) reaffirmed their strong commitment to achieving accountability, securing justice for the Tamil people, and supporting human rights and stable peace. UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) Seema Malhotra announced in the UK Parliament that Britain will continue to cooperate with Sri Lanka to ensure religious freedom and the rights of all diverse communities. |
The secretary to the Ministry of Education explains the school hours extension
Thinakaran The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education has refuted allegations by teacher trade unions that there was insufficient consultation regarding education reforms, including the plan to extend school hours until 2.00 pm starting next January. The ministry stated that although the unions were given multiple opportunities to present their views, some organisations chose to boycott the discussions. Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewe further explained that while individual discussions with over 200,000 teachers are not feasible, a significant number of teachers at the provincial and zonal levels have already been consulted on the reforms. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“The SJB battle against the government will commence in January” – MP Hector Appuhamy
Divaina, Dinamina
SJB MP Hector Appuhamy stated that the SJB has decided not to participate in the rally that several opposition political parties, led by the SLPP, have organised to be held in Nugegoda today (21st). Appuhamy also stated that this decision was not made due to being ill-disposed towards other opposition political parties or to sabotage the rally.
Divaina reports, quoting Appuhamy, that the SJB will commence its battle against the government in January 2026.
Appuhamy made this statement while participating in a press briefing held yesterday (20th) at the SJB main office.
“No change to the official uniform of nurses” – Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa
Mawbima, Dinamina Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa stated in parliament yesterday (20th) that the government has not made any decision yet on changing the uniform of nurses. The minister added that the matter of the uniforms was submitted to parliament as a private member’s motion 33 years ago. He further explained that if the uniform needs to be changed, ideas and proposals regarding it should be submitted to the Uniform Committee, which is held under the chairpersonship of the director general of health services. |
“A situation has arisen in which FR petitions are being rejected in large numbers” – MP Ajith P. PereraAnidda SJB MP Ajith P. Perera stated that, of late, a situation has arisen in which Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions are being rejected in large numbers. He added that there is also a visible trend of certain judges not being appointed for the said FR petition hearings. The MP made the statement on Monday (17th) at the debate on the expenditure head of the Ministry of Justice. |
“No solutions from the president on the issues [of the Tamil people]” – MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam
Anidda
ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam stated that the president only gave him vague answers to the issues of the Tamil community presented by the ITAK MPs at the meeting held with the president at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (19th).
Rasamanickam added that the meeting between the ITAK and the president was held as a result of a letter the ITAK sent to the president in July 2025, requesting political solutions for the Tamil people in the North and the East under a new constitution.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily News
The “Ratama Ekata” National Mission commences in the South: “Will destroy the apex of the toxic drug network” – The president states in Tangalle
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that although armed criminals and those linked to the drug network have grown to a powerful position thus far based on political blessing and protection, no criminal nor anyone connected to the drug network will receive political protection under the current administration. Dissanayake added that the mission to eliminate drugs will be launched with firm determination and that the nation will certainly be saved from the drug menace by destroying the apex of the drug network.
The president made these statements while attending the “Ratama Ekata” National Mission programme held at the Tangalle Public Stadium yesterday (20th) afternoon to free Sri Lankan society from toxic drugs.
The Nugegoda rally of the united opposition to be held today
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam stated that the “Maha Jana Handa” rally, which is being organised by several opposition parties against the government, will be held today (21st) at the Ananda Samarakoon open-air stage in Nugegoda, with the participation of the leaders of 17 political parties and organisations.
Kariyawasam added that the rally will be held at 1.00 pm with the participation of opposition leaders and members, and a large crowd is expected to attend the event.
Leaders and representatives from a number of political parties, including the SLPP, Sarvajana Balaya (SB), SLFP, and the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) are scheduled to join the rally today (21st).
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The NPP loses [local government] budgets in Tangalle, Yatiyanthota and Kalutara – Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Anidda, Thamilan
2. “The law to be strictly enforced against those who aggravate the public with distorted news” – Minister Nalinda Jayatissa – Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
3. The Inland Revenue Department achieves a historic high in tax revenue, generating Rs. 2,002 billion – Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakkural
4. “5,634 financial cyber crime complaints lodged from 2020 to 2025 October” – Minister Ananda Wijepala – Anidda, Thinakkural
5. “Former governments allocated a trillion rupees for electricity” – MP Ravi Karunanayake – Dinamina, Thinakkural
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