DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: The murder of MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala: Death penalty for 12 people; special high court trial-at-bar delivers verdict on a 2:1 basis | The Trincomalee Buddha statue issue: Bail for Ven.Balangoda Kassapa Thera and others | Ranil’s UK visit: CID advised to investigate spouse Maithree and private secretary Sandra Perera; the decision on Saman Ekanayake’s bail on the 18th Thinakaran: “No country will develop where the rule of law has collapsed” – The president; plantation workers happy as the president meets and speaks to them | ADB assistance for reconstruction efforts |
Thinakkural: “We are not an obstacle to the Swiss Embassy meeting; ITAK is conspiring to stop our meeting” – Gajendrakumar levels serious allegations | Sri Lanka seeks China’s help after India | “The government is continuing to violate promises made” – The ITAK to the EU Thamilan: The murder of former MP Amarakeerthi and security officer: Death penalty for 12! | “Everyone is equal before the law” – The president states in Nuwara Eliya that new changes will occur this year |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: A divided verdict: 12 sentenced to death over Amarakeerthi’s murder; 12 allegations: 80 witnesses; four given suspended sentences; 25 others acquitted; two defendants have passed; two others have secretly fled the country; two university students among the independent defendants Divaina: 16 found guilty for the murder of former MP Amarakeerthi and his security officer: 12 sentenced to death, a divided verdict; 25 other defendants acquitted; two have passed while two others have left the country | Bail granted on strict conditions to 10 individuals, including Ven. Kassapa Thera Mawbima: 12 sentenced to death over the murder of former MP Amarakeerthi – A divided verdict from the HC: Four given prison sentences; 25 others acquitted | Trincomalee HC grants bail to 10, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera
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Dinamina: “This year, we will give life to the phrase ‘All are equal before the law'” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake states in Nuwara Eliya while joining the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (A Nation United) National Operation Aruna: The Gampaha Permanent HC Trial-at-Bar sentences 12 individuals to death over the murder of former MP Amarakeerthi Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: IBC Tamil
“The provincial council elections must be held soon” – ITAK states while meeting EU officials
Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural
The ITAK highlighted the government’s shifting stance on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) during a meeting with a EU delegation led by Paola Pampaloni yesterday (11th).
ITAK representatives M.A. Sumanthiran and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam noted that while NPP members previously campaigned for the absolute repeal of the PTA, they are now proposing a replacement bill with more stringent provisions. Sumanthiran attributed this change to the transition from opposition to governance, suggesting that security forces continue to maintain significant control.
The delegation also discussed the prolonged delays in provincial council elections and the lack of progress in transitional justice mechanisms, including the Office on Missing Persons (OMP). In response, the EU official requested a formal document outlining ITAK’s concerns regarding the proposed counter-terrorism legislation by tomorrow (13th).
“Lands in the North will be released as required if the military agrees” – Bimal Rathnayake
Thinakaran, Thinakkural Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake stated that the government remains committed to preventing divisions between the North and South while ensuring the withdrawal of excess security forces from Jaffna. Speaking at the inauguration of the Avarangal-Thondamanaru road renovation project yesterday (11th), he noted that Rs. 4.25 billion has been allocated for road development in the Jaffna District. The minister confirmed that private lands are being returned to rightful owners, though some delays persist due to difficulties in identifying owners. He clarified that lands would be released based on necessity and with the concurrence of the security forces. |
“We are not an obstacle to the Swiss Embassy meeting; ITAK is conspiring to stop our meeting” – Gajendrakumar levels serious allegationsThinakkural, Thamilan
ACTC MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam stated that a new constitution expected by 2029 would likely result in the complete surrender of the political rights of the Tamil people. Speaking at a media briefing yesterday (11th), he noted that if a constitution based on a unitary state (ekiya rajyaya) is passed with Tamil support, the international community will no longer recognise the existence of an ethnic issue. Ponnambalam also clarified that reports suggesting the Swiss Embassy cancelled a meeting scheduled for February 19 due to a separate meeting organised by the Tamil National Council on February 15 were inaccurate. He accused the ITAK of creating confusion regarding these discussions. The MP emphasised that the Tamil National Council had already engaged with civil society groups before the Swiss-led initiative was proposed to establish a unified position. |
Sajith presents a six-point “non-debt” plan to EU representatives
Thamilan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa presented a six-point framework to a high-level EU delegation yesterday (11th), seeking non-debt assistance to recover from the USD 7 billion economic loss caused by Cyclone Ditwah. During the meeting, Premadasa urged the EU to facilitate an international donor conference to secure grants instead of loans and requested flexibility in GSP+ “rules of origin” to support the garment and agricultural sectors. The opposition leader also proposed incorporating “disaster expenditure” relief within the current IMF framework to protect vulnerable groups and called for EU technical expertise to reform Sri Lanka’s disaster management laws. |
Former President Gotabaya summoned to the CIABOCThinakaran The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has summoned former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appear before it tomorrow (13th). The investigation concerns the alleged illegal allocation of housing units during his tenure as the secretary to the Ministry of Defence. The summons follows the recent arrest of a close associate of the former president in connection with the same case. Legal action is expected to be initiated based on the statement provided by Rajapaksa regarding the misuse of power in these allocations. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“A conference of the Maha Sangha (Buddhist monks) to be held regarding the hardships faced by monks” – Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera
Mawbima, Aruna
Chancellor of the University of Colombo Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera stated that a conference of the Maha Sangha will be held to demonstrate the dignity of Buddhist monks, as they have never faced such insults from anyone as they have during this present time.
Speaking to the media yesterday (11th), the thera added that the conference is scheduled to be held in Colombo on February 20.
Ven. Ananda Thera further pointed out that the decision on whether or not to topple the government rests with the government itself. He expressed great regret about the hardships that Buddhist monks in the country have had to face under the tenure of the current government.
Fees waived for cremations and burials within Colombo city limitsMawbima, Aruna The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to waive all fees for the cremation and burial of bodies within the council’s jurisdiction. Accordingly, the council has resolved to completely abolish the fee of Rs. 10,000 previously charged for a cremation. The measure was proposed in the current budget, and Mayor of Colombo Vraie Cally Balthazaar announced the decision during the general council meeting held on Tuesday (10th). Furthermore, the Rs. 7,500 fee previously charged for the burial of Islamic remains has also been abolished. |
The private secretary of the speaker is concealing evidence –The SJB lodges a complaint with the CIABOC; “Conduct a proper investigation” – MP Harshana RajakarunaDivaina A group of SJB MPs lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (11th), stating that the private secretary of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne has been concealing evidence concerning the complaint that has been lodged against the speaker with the CIABOC. Speaking to the media following the visit to the CIABOC, SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna requested that a proper investigation into the matter be conducted. |
“Low interest rate facility of Rs. 96.5 billion to power new entrepreneurs” – The deputy minister of finance
Dinamina
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando stated that applications are currently being received for a low-interest loan facility of Rs. 95.6 billion allocated by the government in the 2026 budget to empower new entrepreneurs in the country, including small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) that have collapsed and are striving to rebuild.
The deputy minister stated that entrepreneurs will receive three main benefits when obtaining these loan facilities through state and private banks using the funds allocated by the government in the 2026 budget. Accordingly, the government will provide a two-thirds guarantee on behalf of the entrepreneurs for certain loan facilities.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
The Gampaha Permanent HC Trial-at-Bar sentences 12 individuals to death over the murder of former MP Amarakeerthi
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Following a lengthy hearing, the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar sentenced 12 individuals who were found guilty over the murder of former Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer in 2022. Additionally, four other individuals were given six-month sentences, suspended for five years.
The newspapers also report that 25 others accused were acquitted by the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar. Two other suspects related to the case have passed away, while another two individuals have secretly fled the country. The newspapers highlight that the verdict is a divided one.
The Polonnaruwa District MP and his security officer, a police constable, were reported dead amidst the unrest in the Nittambuwa area during the nationwide incidents of violence on May 9, 2022.
“This year, we will give life to the phrase ‘All are equal before the law'” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake states in Nuwara Eliya while joining the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (A Nation United) National Operation
Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated in Nuwara Eliya that this year will be the year that the phrase “All are equal before the law” will be brought to life. The president made these remarks while participating in the Central Province programme of the ‘Ratama Ekata’ [A Nation United] National Operation to eradicate the drug menace, held in Nuwara Eliya yesterday (11th).
During the event, Dissanayake stated that no country where the rule of law has collapsed has achieved development. He further declared his commitment to building a country where no child falls victim to the drug catastrophe. The drug menace has been identified as a major social issue faced by all people in the country, including the Malaiyaga Thamilar (Hill Country Tamil) community.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Bail granted on strict conditions to 10 individuals, including Ven. Kassapa Thera – Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake remanded until February 18 – Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thamilan
3. “The present government seems to be determined to dismantle what is left of our public service and replace it with party members and supporters who have poor qualifications and experience” – Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga states on Facebook – Divaina, Aruna, Thamilan
4. The Sri Lanka Navy earns USD 598,250 by providing security for merchant vessels – Dinamina, Thinakaran
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