11 December 2025 | Vol. 11, #223

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “Rs. 1,893 million donated to the fund; 39 countries are cooperating with Sri Lanka in various ways” – Secretary to the Treasury Harshana Suriyapperuma informs | “World nations extending a helping hand due to an uncorrupted administration; Chandrika’s action is an example to others” – Minister Bimal

Thinakaran: Special programmes to rehabilitate those who have lost their guardians; Focus on female-headed families and children who have lost their parents; Plan based on post-disaster assessments | “Illegal constructions will not be permitted in the Colombo District; Political agendas are the reason why people are caught in the disaster” – Prime Minister | The Army Commander went to Chilaw to inspect disaster relief work

Thinakkural: “Do not risk the lives of people caught in the great disaster situation! Do not weaken the officials who are working hard” – National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) requests | More than 85,000 tons of Ditwah garbage piles up | Landslide again in Badulla District; No casualties/damages

Thamilan: Danger of rainfall increasing again! Flood warning for low-lying areas

Lankadeepa: Vehicle purchases have also decreased due to the cyclone: prices to also likely reduce; registration and transferring has continued to diminish | Many hills and mountains in the Uva Province are at landslide risk: 210 from Badulla, 40 from Maspanna and 135 from two places in Hali-ela evacuated | Four, including Cabraal released from the Greek Bond case: the case was removed under the condition that the Rs. 1.84 billion would be paid within three months – CIABOC

Divaina: “Data belonging to children who have lost their parents due to the disaster is being stolen, with attempts being made to exploit them through rackets: do not provide information through WhatsApp, Messenger or Facebook; do not be deceived by cunning people coming under the guise of providing aid; report suspicious matters to 1929” – Director (Planning & Information) of the NCPA Shanika Malalgoda

Mawbima: Another group has distributed applications for compensation: “cannot pay compensation properly with the NPP strongholds in the village” – Allegations from the Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Association | Cabraal released from the Greek Bond case

Dinamina: Greek Bond case: Cabraal ordered to pay state loss of Rs. 1.84 billion within three months | Legal action to be taken under the Anti-Corruption Act if not paid – CIABOC announces

Aruna: 5,000 containers stuck in Customs due to Ditwah: Container Transport Owners Association (CTOA); “no block: only a slight delay” – Customs Spokesperson

Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

“What is the threat to Gotabaya’s visit to Jaffna?”; Jaffna Magistrate’s Court questions

Thinakkural

The Jaffna Magistrate’s Court has ordered former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to submit an affidavit explaining the specific security threats preventing him from appearing in person to testify regarding the disappearance of Lalith and Kugan.

This directive was issued after Rajapaksa’s lawyers requested permission for him to testify via online methods during the hearing held yesterday (10th).

The case concerns the abduction of activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan in the Avarangal area in December 2011.

Consequently, the magistrate postponed further hearing of the case to February 6.

“The issue of seeking justice for our relatives is being blunted through various problems in every period” – Relatives of the disappeared

Thinakkural

President of the Batticaloa District Association of Relatives of Enforced Disappearances, A. Amalanayaki, stated that the quest for justice for their relatives is being blunted by various emerging issues.

Speaking on International Human Rights Day, she claimed that while the current government is praised by many, it remains “incapable of establishing a justice mechanism for the disappeared” and “continues to act with racism.”

Amalanayaki noted that since the government has refused to subject the army to investigations, they are seeking a solution through an international mechanism.

She further pointed out that despite evidence surfacing in places like Chemmani, memorials are being destroyed, proper inquiries into mass graves are absent, and threats against journalists continue.

Highlighting that over 350 mothers have died waiting for justice, she urged the international community to intervene through an expert panel.

Easter Sunday Attacks: Bail for those accused in connection with the conspiracy and bomb manufacturing

Virakesari

The Colombo High Court granted bail to four defendants held in remand custody for allegedly conspiring to manufacture 21 bombs used in the Easter Sunday attacks.

High Court Judge Rasmi Singappuli released the accused on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each, while imposing an overseas travel ban and requiring them to report to the CID monthly.

The attorney general had filed indictments under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against six individuals for manufacturing the bombs between January and March 2018 under the guidance of suicide bomber Mohamed Ibrahim Inshaf Ahamed.

It was noted that the first suspect had already been granted bail, while the sixth defendant passed away in prison.

“The Government must govern the country for five years; The SJB will not plot” – Mujibur Rahman

Thinakaran

SJB MP Mujibur Rahman stated that the party will not conspire to topple the government by exploiting the prevailing disaster situation.

He asserted that the current government must govern for another five years and cannot escape without fulfilling its responsibilities.

Rahman guaranteed that the main opposition would not engage in any attempts to topple the government, noting that they have not held rallies or engaged in sabotage over the past year.

Furthermore, the MP questioned what the situation would have been if the NPP had been in the opposition during this time of disaster.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

Another group has distributed applications for compensation: “cannot pay compensation properly with the NPP strongholds in the village” – Allegations from the Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Association

Mawbima, Aruna

Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Association, Sumith Kodikara, stated that a serious problematic situation has arisen where Grama Niladhari (Village Officers) are unable to perform their duties properly and fairly, including disaster compensation payments, due to severe pressure from regional-level politicians and rural activists of the NPP.

He made this statement at a media briefing held yesterday (10th) in Kandy.

Kodikara further stated that Grama Niladharis in certain areas across the island are being seriously pressured to take steps to issue the relevant forms for disaster loans even to associates of the NPP’s regional politicians and activists who have not been affected by any disaster.

“Provide information on houses that were damaged by the disaster” – Minister Susil Ranasinghe

Dinamina

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe stated that data of affected high-risk areas will be collected through a digital application to assess resettlement and damages caused to houses.

He added that around 4,600 houses have been completely destroyed by the disaster, while approximately 76,000 houses have been partially damaged.

Ranasinghe added further that since the people from these damaged houses cannot be resettled in the same high-risk zones, it has become necessary to identify the people who were living in the high-risk zones and gather data and information regarding the area where they should be resettled.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS