3 February 2026 | Vol. 12, #21

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “The Kivul Oya project will definitely be implemented; it is for the Tamil people” – Minister Chandrasekar states firmly | Massive protest against the Kivul Oya project; “We want our land” slogans raised; Leaders of Tamil national parties participate | Airbus Scam: Order issued to arrest Chamal’s youngest son; instructions given to take steps for a Red Notice | Pictorial: A mass protest by the people opposing the Kivul Oya project took place in Nedunkerny yesterday

Thinakaran: Connections with Kehelbaddara Padme: CID conducts extensive investigation with former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga | “Sri Lankan people have not achieved complete freedom” – Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith | Teacher appointments for graduates: Discussion led by the prime minister; Protest temporarily called off | Online payment facility for customers; Urban Development Authority launches in Peliyagoda

Thinakkural: “Don’t want Kivul Oya [project] which snatches the right to life of the Tamil people” – Tamil community rises; Massive protest rally in Vavuniya North | “Conspiracy to submerge the entire Tamil region” – Sumanthiran on the Kivul Oya project | “Do not politicise Kachchatheevu” – Northern Province Fisherfolk Associations | 400 acres of agricultural and residential land at risk of being submerged due to the Kivul Oya project; 2,000 acres of fertile land already seized

Thamilan: “We want our land, we don’t want the Kivul Oya project” – Mass protest in Nedunkerny with large public participation

Lankadeepa: Involved with Padme? Six politicians to [be brought before] the CID soon: a prominent female politician also among them; Prasanna questioned; Namal to be summoned today

Divaina: Suspended deputy secretary-general lodges complaint with the CIABOC against the Speaker; complaints regarding many irregularities in the parliamentary administration  

Mawbima: Suspended deputy secretary-general goes to the CIABOC against the Speaker: allegations against the misuse of vehicles, official housing, and illegal fuel privileges | Lawyer from Chilaw who forged deeds for a land, imprisoned for five years

Dinamina: The USD 2 million SriLankan Airlines fraud: order issued for the arrest of Shamindra Rajapaksa, the youngest son of Chamal Rajapaksa; move to also obtain red warrants | “Never even seen Kehelbaddara Padme: but [I] know about [his] father” – Prasanna Ranatunga tells CID | NPP gains power over the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha: Chinthaka voted Chair

Aruna: Former deputy secretary-general of parliament lodges complaint with CIABOC against Speaker

Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

“A full stop must be put to the Kivul Oya project; the responsibility lies with the Tamils” – Suresh

Virakesari

Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) spokesperson Suresh Premachandran asserted that while representatives of the new government claim not to be racist or religious extremists, their actions remain hostile to the Tamil people and other religions.

He emphasised that the entire Tamil community has a responsibility to ensure the complete termination of the Kivul Oya project, which he characterised as harmful to Tamils.

“The Kivul Oya project will definitely be implemented; it is for the Tamil people” – Minister Chandrasekar states firmly

Virakesari

Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that the Kivul Oya project is a settlement scheme intended for the Tamil people and not for the Sinhalese community.

Acknowledging that Tamil people have a reasonable suspicion of new settlements due to past state-sponsored Sinhalese colonisation in the North, the minister emphasised that the current government would not act in a manner that undermines the mandate given by Northern voters.

He clarified that the settlement process would be conducted through the Mullaitivu District Secretary and would transform the area into a modern village with housing, water, and infrastructure facilities.

Chandrasekar further assured that the president and the government remain committed to protecting the trust placed in them by the Tamil people.

“400 acres of agricultural and residential lands at risk of submergence due to the Kivul Oya project” – North-East Coordination Committee warns

Virakesari, Thinakkural

The North-East Coordination Committee (NECC) warned that the Kivul Oya Reservoir Development Project threatens to submerge over 400 acres of agricultural and residential land in traditional villages within the Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts.

In a statement following a public awareness session, the NECC noted that the project would also lead to the loss of the 4,000-acre Periya Kattikkulam forest reserve and 47 archaeological sites identified by the Mahaweli Authority.

The committee expressed concern that the project facilitates the settlement of outsiders, contradicting government pledges to prioritise local landless Tamil and Muslim communities.

It further highlighted that 1,990 acres of land in Kokkuthoduvai, previously allocated to Tamil residents, have been incorporated into the new project maps.

The NECC urged the government to review the social and environmental impacts of the project to prevent demographic changes and preserve the region’s cultural heritage.

“Sri Lankan people have not achieved complete freedom” – Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith

Thinakaran

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith stated that Sri Lankans have yet to achieve full independence, emphasising that strengthening the rule of law is essential for the nation.

In a special message for Independence Day on February 4, he noted that the country has not seen significant progress in the economic, political, or social sectors.

The Cardinal explained that true independence extends beyond political autonomy and requires a social system rooted in justice, equality, and accountability.

He concluded that a society can only experience real freedom when the law is applied equally and justly to all citizens.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

Letter of demand from Minister Nalinda Jayatissa seeking Rs. 1 billion in compensation from Niroshan Padukka over defamatory remarks at a press conference

Divaina, Dinamina

Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip Dr Nalinda Jayatissa has issued a letter of demand seeking Rs. 1 billion in damages from former Western Provincial Council member Ajantha Niroshan Padukka over false and defamatory statements.

The letter of demand has been sent through Attorney-at-Law Sampath Yalevaththa and is related to remarks made by Padukka during a media briefing held on or around February 1, 2026.

At the media briefing, Padukka alleged that Minister Jayatissa had used a credit card belonging to the owner of a blacklisted pharmaceutical company and had spent approximately Rs. 1 million on purchases in India.

He further claimed that the minister should immediately disclose details of the alleged transaction and resign from his position.

49 granted presidential pardon

Divaina, Dinamina

49 prisoners have qualified for a special presidential pardon in view of the 78th National Independence Day.

This special pardon was granted by the president in accordance with the powers vested in him under Article 34 of the Constitution.

Accordingly, these prisoners receive the special presidential pardon under specific terms and conditions, including the granting of a one-week remission for every year of the sentence served, and the remission of the remaining balance of sentences for those currently imprisoned due to the non-payment of fines below Rs. 75,000.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS