13 February 2026 | Vol. 12, #28

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “Government attempting to hand over the Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai ports to India. All must unite against Indianisation,” Wimal Weerawansa states | The new draft bill is deplorable; I will challenge the draft Protection of the State from Terrorism [Bill] in court: G.L. Peiris announces | Supreme Court orders notices to be issued to the incumbent and former presidents

Thinakaran: Effective changes in the transport infrastructure | IMF to review debt instalments; decision to reach an agreement with Sri Lanka | Fundamental rights petition; notices issued to Maithripala, Ranil, and President Anura

Thinakkural: Secret agreements are being prepared; the JVP has been ensnared in India’s net; Tilvin Silva’s visit to India is for this purpose, says Wimal Weerawansa | Even if India’s coercive actions come through Anura, we will not fear – released Balangoda Kassapa Thera | “The anti-terrorism act will be extremely severe,” warns G.L. Peiris

Thamilan: Monks mobilise citing a threat to Buddhism; Maha Sangha conference to be held in Colombo on the 20th | SLMC member resigns [loses CMC seat]; gazette notification issued | Case against Johnston postponed | Appointment of Deshabandu as Inspector General of Police; hearing of fundamental rights petitions concluded – Supreme Court 

Lankadeepa: Appointing Deshabandu as the IGP: “the CC decision is illegal” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake files affidavit before the SC | A special high court: a [former] minister’s residence for the case regarding the Easter Sunday attack to be heard | “The proposed anti-terrorism bill is the death of democracy” — Prof. G.L. Peiri

Divaina: “We were beaten to the point that our robes came off: a higher-up of the prison threatened us to do whatever we can” – Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera states during media briefing following 29 days in prison

Mawbima: Online gambling to be regulated soon: the new regulatory department commences work | Backhoe operator who was under the influence topples a wall at the Borella Kannangara College: three students injured; one student admitted to the ICU   

Dinamina: “A broad plan for the renaissance of transportation: a pilot programme through six routes: Metro bus service to commence in August” – President Dissanayake

Aruna: Crisis in payment of Ditwah deaths compensation when legal heirs cannot be found; payments completed for 265, while payments for 221 remain pending

Anidda: Appeals to the SC from both sides of the Amarakeerthi murder case: “the punishment is not enough” – AG to also appeal

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

Land rights for up-country Tamils should be a GSP+ condition – Mano Ganesan

Thinakkural

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan urged the visiting European Union (EU) delegation to link the GSP+ tariff preference for Sri Lanka with commitments to grant land and citizenship rights to the Hill Country Tamil community.

During a meeting led by Asia and Pacific Director Paola Pampaloni, Ganesan highlighted the systemic marginalisation of the community, noting that despite their contribution to the national economy, they continue to face poverty and landlessness.

He pointed out that Hill Country Tamil families displaced by recent storms are being excluded from the national housing scheme that provides Rs. 5 million per house.

Instead, these families are being directed toward a separate project funded by Indian aid, which only provides Rs. 2.7 million.

TPA representatives Professor Vijayachandran and Bharat Arullsamy also participated in the discussion held at the EU office in Colombo.

Court summons issued to Anura, Ranil, and Maithripala!

Thinakaran, Virakesari, Thinakkural

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (11th) ordered that notice be issued to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, former presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena, and the Attorney General (AG).

This order follows a fundamental rights petition filed by retired air force veteran Shantha Jayathilaka, which challenges the legality of government circulars and schemes that allow individuals to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

The petitioner seeks a ruling that these initiatives, implemented by previous and current administrations, are illegal.

A three-judge bench comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Shiran Gooneratne, and Justice Achala Wengappuli ordered that notice be served to the respondents within a week.

The court scheduled the petition to be taken up for further consideration on July 20, 2026.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

Appeals to the SC from both sides of the Amarakeerthi murder case: “the punishment is not enough” – AG to also appeal

Anidda

Twelve defendants sentenced to death for the murder of former MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer are reportedly set to file appeals before the Supreme Court on February 16.

The appeals will reportedly request a reconsideration of the case on the grounds that the defendants were identified and sentenced to death solely based on video evidence, including CCTV footage, without the presence of any eyewitnesses.

Simultaneously, the Attorney General is also expected to lodge an appeal.

The Attorney General is reportedly dissatisfied with the verdict, noting that while murder allegations were brought against 31 individuals, only 12 were found guilty.

“The Praja Shakthi programme will give rise to a people’s rule” — Minister K.D. Lalkantha

Dinamina

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha states that the Praja Shakthi programme will replace elite-controlled governance with a system of community governance.

The minister made these remarks while participating in the Praja Shakthi programme held on Wednesday (11th) at the Sahas Uyana in Kandy.

He added that this contains the substance of a change to a system that existed during a certain era of governance.

He noted that this includes processes through which the change achieved at the national level flows down to the very grassroots.

Lalkantha added that the community has become the fundamental element here and that it is a journey where public servants and villagers move forward together.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS