DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Landslide risk in 15,000 locations; Instruction to evacuate people in the warning areas of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale districts | Chandrika Kumaratunga provides Rs. 250 million | “143-kilometre coastline polluted; Special action for cleanup” – Marine Environment Protection Authority announcement Thinakaran: The difficult situation caused by natural disasters: “Expectation of flexibility in the debt structure” – President in an interview with US Newsweek magazine | If land is provided, the housing problems of the upcountry will be resolved – Jeevan tells president | “Tamil Nadu’s assistance enhanced goodwill” – Minister Herath thanks Chief Minister Stalin |
Thinakkural: In many areas, including the upcountry, 15,000 landslide-prone locations identified; Emergency action to move people residing in those areas to safe places | “If there is a problem for Sri Lanka, it is like a problem for India” – Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha in Negombo Thamilan: Landslide danger in 4 districts! People instructed to evacuate immediately |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Landslide risks remerge: people of 40 Divisional Secretariat divisions evacuated Divaina: Circular on providing relief issued: relief for religious places to be tabled in the cabinet | “9,925 schools will reopen on December 16: remaining subjects of the G.C.E. A/L examination to commence from January 12” – Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa Mawbima: ”It will take six months to estimate the full damage caused by the disaster” – Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando | “The rest of the Advanced Level examination to be held from January 12: no term tests for the third term; Ordinary Level examination to be held as scheduled” – Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa
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Dinamina: World Bank provides USD 30 million for sustainable energy project: aim is 70% of power from renewables by 2030 Aruna: Immediately evacuate people residing in the 40 Divisional Secretariat divisions for which red notices have been issued – DMC informs district secretaries Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“What is wrong with searching for alternative lands in the North and East for safe living?” – Mano Ganesan asks publicly
Thinakaran, Virakesari, Thamilan
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader MP Mano Ganesan stated that while the Hill Country is the homeland of the Malayaga Tamils, they may have to consider the North and East as an alternative habitat if safe lands are not provided in their own region.
Speaking during a visit to the landslide-affected Craighead Estate in Nawalapitiya, he questioned whether the people should continue to die in landslides due to the denial of land rights.
He suggested that migration could be considered if owners of abandoned lands in the North and East are willing to provide them.
However, Ganesan noted that when he consulted the affected people, they expressed a preference for receiving safe lands near main roads within the Hill Country itself.
“Mahaweli granted 25 acres in Vavuniya to Nimal Siripala de Silva’s sister; We will oppose even if they shoot us” – MP Ravikaran vows!
Thinakkural ITAK MP T. Ravikaran alleged that 25 acres of land in Vavuniya North were granted to the sister of former Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva under the Mahaweli Development Scheme. Speaking at the Vavuniya District Development Committee meeting held yesterday (9th), presided over by Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe, he claimed that 30 individuals were given 25 acres each, while no Tamil people were included as beneficiaries in the Kivul Oya project. He questioned whether the government intends to make Vavuniya North disappear like ‘Aththipatti’ by evicting the indigenous Tamil population and settling members of the majority community who are engaging in deforestation. Furthermore, he warned that he would mobilise thousands of people to protest against these injustices, stating that they would not hesitate to express their opposition even if they were shot. |
“Pakistan will always stand with Sri Lanka as a reliable friend” – Pakistan Minister assures the people of Sri LankaVirakesari Pakistan Minister of Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, stated that Pakistan will always stand as a reliable friend to Sri Lanka, while commending the government’s immediate response to the disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Speaking at a relief distribution event at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo yesterday (9th), he conveyed condolences from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and confirmed that Pakistani rescue teams and humanitarian aid have already arrived. The minister further emphasised Pakistan’s willingness to provide technical assistance and strengthen bilateral cooperation in disaster management, maritime security, and early warning systems. |
“If land is provided, the housing problems of the upcountry will be resolved” – Jeevan tells president
Thinakaran
MP Jeevan Thondaman stated that granting land rights to the people of the Hill Country is the only viable method to resolve their housing crisis, as the current requirement stands at 150,000 houses.
Speaking at the Nuwara Eliya District Coordinating Committee meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Thondaman emphasised that the social system limiting privileges to estate workers must change, noting that constructing 2,000 houses annually via the Budget is insufficient.
In response, President Dissanayake remarked that while priority is currently given to disaster relief, he will hold detailed discussions on long-term issues.
He questioned the feasibility of allocating 900,000 perches of land if six perches are given per person and assured that he would meet Hill Country representatives to discuss technical factors and safe locations.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Business News LK
Aid from all around the world to overcome disaster situation
Dinamina
Aid from all around the world has been flying into Sri Lanka in light of the disaster situation created by the Ditwah cyclone.
Accordingly, the United Nations (UN) has decided to grant Rs. 1,350 million (USD 4.5 million) to Sri Lanka to support Sri Lankans affected by the cyclone. The UN has allocated the amount from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Pakistan has also taken steps to donate a stock of 20 MT of relief materials to Sri Lanka to provide assistance to the people affected by the disaster. The Sri Lanka High Commission in Islamabad has facilitated the organisation of an air cargo shipment carrying the stock of emergency relief materials from Pakistan to Sri Lanka.
Another aircraft carrying a stock of disaster aid provided by India arrived at the Katunayake Airport yesterday (9th). This aircraft is a C-17 type large cargo transport aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force. The aircraft carried a 110-foot-long Bailey iron bridge weighing 61 MT, and a stock of medicines weighing 600 kg.
The eighth aircraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrying a stock of disaster aid for the Sri Lankan people affected by the cyclone also arrived at the Katunayake Airport yesterday (9th). This aircraft was a C-17 type, one of the largest cargo transport planes belonging to the UAE Air Force, and it arrived at the Katunayake Airport from Abu Dhabi.
“Red notices are issued to save your lives” – Minister K.D. Lalkantha
Aruna Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, and Lands, K.D. Lalkantha, stated that due to the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issuing red notices simultaneously for 20 Divisional Secretariat divisions in Kandy without specifically identifying the high-risk landslide locations, 1.4 million residents in the district have been forced to find alternative places to reside. He made this statement yesterday (9th) during the Kandy District Coordinating Committee meeting. The committee meeting was held under the chairpersonship of Minister K.D. Lalkantha and Central Province Governor Professor Sarath Abayakoon. Lalkantha added that red notices are given urgently in order to save the people’s lives as much as possible. |
World Bank provides USD 30 million for sustainable energy project: aim is 70% of power from renewables by 2030Dinamina The World Bank (WB) has agreed to provide aid amounting to USD 30 million to Sri Lanka to implement a safe and sustainable energy project. The Ministry of Finance states that steps have been taken to provide this financial assistance for the safe, affordable, and sustainable energy project for Sri Lanka from the International Development Association of the World Bank Group, and the financial agreement for this operation has been signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the International Development Fund. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Asian Mirror
“The rest of the Advanced Level examination to be held in January” | “Schools to commence on 16 December for unaffected areas” – Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Ministry of Education yesterday (9th) announced that the postponed subjects of the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination will commence on January 12, 2026.
Accordingly, the remaining subjects of the A/L examination will be held from January 12 to 20.
The Ministry has also announced that schools in six provinces, except those affected by recent disaster conditions, will reopen on December 16.
The move was confirmed by Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa.
Kaluwewa stated that schools in the Western, Southern, Northern, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, and North Central Provinces will resume academic activities on December 16.
Out of 10,076 schools nationwide, 9,929 are scheduled to reopen, while 147 schools remain unsuitable for reopening due to severe flood- and landslide-related damage.
He added that updated information will be issued regularly as further confirmation is received from provincial authorities.
Landslide risks remerge: people of 40 Divisional Secretariat divisions evacuated
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural
Due to the prevailing weather conditions, red notices regarding landslides have been issued for 40 Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale districts.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has informed the respective District Secretaries and District Disaster Management Coordination Units to take steps to direct the residents living in identified high-risk areas within those regions to safe centres starting from yesterday (9th).
This directive was issued on Monday (8th) via a letter, which also instructed that these residents be kept in safe locations until December 19.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Landslide risks remerge: people of 40 Divisional Secretariat divisions evacuated – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural
2. President Dissanayake thanks US President Donald Trump for the support given to Sri Lanka – Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
3. Bandaranaike Foundation donates Rs. 250M for relief – Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari
4. Those that were affected by Ditwah are poverty-stricken people – UNDP report reveals – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Thinakaran
5. 284 roads restored – Mawbima, Virakesari
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