DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Prime Minister is pressuring the President; Harini moves by inciting her supporters; First, they must reach an agreement” – SJB MP Mujibur | Pictorial: The prime minister visits Puttalam Zahira College, which was affected by Cyclone Ditwah Thinakaran: “Minor error only in Grade 6 textbook: Solution for the new education reform issue soon” – Minister Nalinda Jayatissa explains to the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters |
Thinakkural: “Release the lands where the Thaiyiddy Vihara is located” – The Chief Prelate of the Naga Vihara urges the President | “The President should not go to Jaffna and incite ethnic or religious communalism” – MP Marikkar condemns | “The President himself spoke racism in Jaffna regarding Buddhists going to the North for worship; there is a right to worship at Buddhist shrines across the entire country” – Opposition Leader | “Statement made in Jaffna; President must apologise” – Dilith Thamilan: Abolition of MPs’ pensions; Objections in the Supreme Court! Former MPs file a petition | Anura fulfilled 10 promises; Research organisation reports | “Release the lands of Tamil people!” – Chief Sanghanayake for the Northern Province requests Anura |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Tug-of-war between Harini and Sajith over appointing three members to the constitutional council Divaina: Jinthupitiya shooting ordered by Palani Rimoshan; two injured children hospitalised | “This government will not protect drug traffickers or organised criminals, nor allow racism to resurface” – President | Army captain with underworld links arrested; T-56 rifle and 18 magazines seized from Minuwangoda residence Mawbima: Former MPs file petition in Supreme Court challenging pension cuts | Former army captain arrested in Negombo over suspected arms trafficking
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Dinamina: Record drug haul seized last year: 5,685 kg worth Rs. 1,000 crore Aruna: Officials behind the Grade 6 module suspended; two senior officers among them Anidda: This newspaper was unavailable at the time of publishing FrontPage |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Zira Daily
“Release the lands where the Thaiyiddy Vihara is located” – The Chief Prelate of the Naga Vihara urges the President
Thamilan, Thinakkural
The Chief Sanghanayake for the Northern Province and the Chief Incumbent of the Jaffna Sri Naga Vihara, Most Ven. Meegahajandure Sirivimala Thera, urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to expedite the release of civilian lands where the Thaiyiddy Tissa Vihara is located.
During the President’s visit to the vihara, the Thera emphasised that a swift decision should be reached following discussions with the relevant landowners.
Addressing the media, the Thera claimed that the President appeared to accept these requests.
Furthermore, the Thera requested the President to address the prevailing drug menace in the North and to establish factories in the Northern Province to provide employment opportunities for the youth.
“Tamil national parties must unite and come forward for a solution acceptable to the Tamil people” – Suresh Premachandran’s call
Thinakkural, Thinakaran DTNA spokesperson Suresh Premachandran emphasised the need for unity among Tamil national parties to safeguard the existence of the Tamil people. He warned that continued rivalry within the Tamil political sphere could lead to grave consequences. Premachandran noted that the current government remains ideologically opposed to power sharing, asserting that a new constitution is necessary to resolve the national issue. He urged Tamil parties to cooperate on common matters to protect the community’s political standing. Thinakkural highlights: he issued a unanimous demand for the government to hold Provincial Council elections immediately under the old system, noting that Tamil, Muslim, and Upcountry parties share this view. He emphasised that if a new constitution is proposed, the government must consult Tamil representatives on the ethnic issue. Furthermore, he called for the total repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), rejecting its new iterations. He also condemned the ‘Prajashakthi’ initiative, where party loyalists are appointed to villages, as an “illegal and undemocratic move that bypasses elected officials and civil servants.” |
“Prime Minister is pressuring the President; Harini moves by inciting her supporters; First, they must reach an agreement” – SJB MP MujiburVirakesari SJB MP Mujibur Rahman stated that individuals within the government are acting against the Cabinet decision to postpone the Grade 6 education reforms to next year. He noted that while there is consensus on the need for reform, many schools currently lack basic facilities like smart classrooms and computers required for the new curriculum. While the President reportedly moved to delay the implementation to address these shortages, the MP alleged that the Prime Minister is inciting supporters and experts to pressure the President into immediate implementation. Consequently, different ministers hold conflicting views on whether to proceed now or wait. MP Rahman urged the President and Prime Minister to first reach an internal consensus and address the flaws pointed out by educators and unions before moving forward. |
“Minor error only in Grade 6 textbook: Solution for the new education reform issue soon” – Minister Nalinda Jayatissa explains to the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters
Thinakaran Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa assured the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters that steps are being taken to resolve issues in the new education reforms and provide a better education for students. He stated that a minor error in the Grade 6 textbook is being rectified and dismissed Opposition claims regarding other inaccuracies in the text. The minister also informed the prelates that Buddhist relics from India will be brought to Sri Lanka on February 4, following a proposal made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. |
Ariyanethiran expelled from Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK)Thinakaran, Thinakkural ITAK MP Gnanamuththu Srineshan stated that former MP P. Ariyanethiran has been officially removed from the ITAK. He noted that the dismissal letter was issued by Acting General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran following a decision by the party’s political committee. Srineshan mentioned that although no such formal communication had been sent previously, he has now personally viewed the document. The removal follows a meeting of the party’s political leadership to discuss and finalise the former MP’s status. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Namal Rajapaksa’s X handle (@RajapaksaNamal)
“Protecting all cultures within a society rooted in Buddhism” – Namal Rajapaksa
Dinamina, Mawbima, Divaina
SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa urged against labelling communities as racist over religious practices, stating, “Don’t label the people of the South as racists for going to Jaffna to observe Sīla and the people of the North as racists for coming to worship the Kataragama deity.”
Speaking at a meeting in Thambuttegama on 17 January, he emphasised that his political vision supports protecting all cultures within a society rooted in Buddhist and Sinhala traditions.
“This government will not allow racism to resurface” – PresidentDinamina, Divaina President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday (18th), launched the 2026 National Housing Programme in Jaffna, pledging to resolve the housing needs of all families displaced by the war and reaffirming his government’s zero-tolerance policy on racism. Speaking at the ‘A Place to Belong – A Beautiful Life’ event in Meesalai, Chavakachcheri, he condemned delays in rebuilding war-damaged homes and promised no displaced family would be left without permanent housing, while highlighting broader plans to develop the Northern Province through housing, education, livelihoods, tourism, and infrastructure. |
“Education reforms were implemented without consultation” – PremadasaDinamina Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated yesterday (18th) that while his party does not oppose the implementation of education reforms for Grades 1 and 6, it objects to certain improper and sometimes obscene content in the modules. Speaking at an event at Kitulgala Base Hospital, Premadasa stressed that the Opposition consistently calls for transformative change in education. He also criticised the government for carrying out reforms informally, without proper discussion, and described its approach as “clownish,” noting that instead of formal Green or White Papers, the authorities had only presented a PowerPoint. |
“A conspiracy aimed at destroying the country’s culture and civilisation” – Chief Prelate of Asgiriya Chapter
Divaina
The Asgiriya Chapter’s Mahanayake, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, warned of a conspiracy aimed at destroying the country’s culture and civilisation.
Speaking at a religious programme at Muthiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya, he highlighted the growing obstacles to Buddhism and expressed concern over acts of violence that could harm both the people and the religion.
He further noted that the protection of Buddhism cannot rest solely on monks, stressing the need for broader support to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Newswire
Former MPs file petition in Supreme Court challenging pension cuts
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Two petitions have been filed by a group of former MPs before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of provisions in the bill presented to Parliament to abolish the pension scheme for Members of Parliament.
The petitioners claim that several clauses of the proposed bill violate fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution and have requested the Supreme Court to rule that, if enacted, the bill must be passed with a special majority in Parliament and approved at a referendum.
“President has fulfilled 10 of 30 key election promises” – Verité Research
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Today’s newspapers reported that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has fulfilled 10 of his key election promises by November 2025, while a further 10 are currently in progress, according to the latest update of the ‘Anura Meter’ manifesto tracker by Verité Research.
The assessment, which monitored 30 major pledges outlined in the President’s 2024 election manifesto and incorporated measures announced in the 2026 Budget, found that nine promises have shown no progress, and one has failed.
The evaluation, however, was completed prior to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Former MP Nandana Gunathilaka passes away – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
2. “President’s comments on the worship of Buddhist religious sites give space for extremism” – Premadasa – Divaina, Thinakkural, Virakesari
3. Solicitor General Viraj takes over Ranil’s UK visit case – Lankadeepa, Thinakkural, Thamilan
4. Tug-of-war between Harini and Sajith over appointing three members to the constitutional council – Lankadeepa, Thamilan
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