DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “We will act with the determination to rebuild the economy after the huge impact it has faced” – says President Anura Kumara Dissanayake | What is the method of assistance? Special circular issued by the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence pointing out the guidelines
Thinakaran: “Huge damage to the gradually developing economy; Naval personnel’s sacrifices during the disaster are commendable” – President’s explanation regarding Cyclone Ditwah | “We will fully cooperate in the health sector” – WHO assurance |
Thinakkural: Places affected by massive landslides and other disasters have turned into areas unfit for human habitation! Action to declare them as protected forest areas; Land Commissioner General’s Department paying close attention | Massive 200-foot wide land gap in the landslide area at Alawatugoda Thamilan: Diplomatic disaster for Sri Lanka due to India – America – China! Beijing’s high-level political leader rushes to Colombo | Disaster relief fund guidelines; new circular released |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Deaths reported after vaccination for vomiting and fainting symptoms; four vaccine categories suspended, probe underway | 15,000 at landslide risk in Hill Country; monitoring systems compromised — NBRI Divaina: Even as disaster aftermath persists, 27 arrested with ‘ice’, hash, kush and cocaine at Facebook party near Victoria; granted bail Mawbima: Oil leak from Avana vessel during unloading releases 200 tons of crude oil into Colombo waters; a cleanup mission underway |“Anyone who obstructs the demarcation of lake boundaries should be arrested” – President
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Dinamina: “Rs. 3,421 million donated to the ‘Rebuild Sri Lanka’ fund; local and foreign business persons from 40 countries have come together” – Suriyapperuma | “300 roads damaged by the disaster have been fixed” – Director General of RDA | Instructions to distribute aid released Aruna: Explosion on crude oil buoy near Colombo Port; suspected leak of 200 tonnes into the ocean Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: China Daily
Diplomatic disaster for Sri Lanka due to India – America – China! Beijing’s high-level political leader rushes to Colombo
Thamilan, Thinakkural
Thamilan: High-level diplomatic sources revealed that the government is facing a diplomatic crisis amid the natural disaster, noting that India has provided the most assistance, followed by the US.
Although US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker pledged support during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, there is a perception within the ruling party that China failed to provide immediate and comparable aid.
To address this diplomatic setback, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Zhao Leji, is scheduled to visit on the 23rd to meet the president and the Mahanayaka Theras.
Political critics noted that the government is struggling to maintain a balance between India, China, and the US, even as the president recently praised India’s relief efforts in an interview with Newsweek.
Thinakkural: Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath stated that Zhao Leji will arrive on the 23rd for a high-level visit, underscoring the importance of China’s relationship with Sri Lanka following the recent visit by Allison Hooker.
He noted that Zhao Leji will meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss relief measures for Cyclone Ditwah and the strengthening of bilateral ties.
“India is the first to help in every instance” – Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa thanks that country and its people
Virakesari Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa expressed gratitude to the Indian government and its people for their support, as the 85-member Indian Army medical team departed the country yesterday (14th). He highlighted that India, as a friendly nation, is always the first to assist Sri Lanka during disasters, noting that the team treated over 7,000 patients, performed surgeries, and conducted medical tests. The team arrived on December 2 to establish a mobile medical camp in Mahiyangana, providing essential healthcare services after the Mahiyangana Base Hospital was crippled by floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Minister Jayatissa and Indian Deputy High Commissioner Satyanjal Pandey were present at the airport to bid farewell to the team. |
Special National Council meeting for Disaster Management today under the leadership of the President! Sajith and all-party representatives invitedThinakkural President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has convened a special meeting of the National Council for Disaster Management today (15th), inviting Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and representatives from all political parties. Government sources stated that the meeting will discuss amendments to the Disaster Management Act, No. 13 of 2005, noting that the council has been largely inactive since its establishment following the 2004 tsunami. Although the council met in August 2025 to discuss legal reforms and emerging climate risks, the recent impact of Cyclone Ditwah caught officials unprepared, leading to a crisis. The council is chaired by the president and includes the prime minister, opposition leader, and provincial authorities as members. |
“Impact of Cyclone Ditwah; Need to discuss future plans for the upcountry; give us time to meet the President” – Mano Ganesan
Thinakaran
Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) MP Mano Ganesan has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to grant an immediate opportunity to hold discussions with political and civil representatives regarding the situation of the Hill Country people following Cyclone Ditwah.
Ganesan emphasised the need to clarify the inclusion of plantation communities in relief and rehabilitation efforts, noting that the Hill Country districts were among the most severely affected by the disaster.
Furthermore, he expressed his readiness to support initiatives aimed at ensuring safe land and housing for the displaced.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“Displaced families in relief centres to be re-registered within 3 months” – Chandrakeerthi
Mawbima
The Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, stated yesterday (14th) that nearly 7,000 people are currently staying in relief centres following recent disasters.
He noted that 6,138 houses have been completely destroyed, and resettling affected families is expected to take two to three months.
The Commissioner added that houses partially damaged but deemed safe by the National Building Research Institute (NBRI) will be inspected, and occupants will be resettled as quickly as possible.
Wijeyadasa, Chamara Sampath appointed to key SLFP rolesDinamina Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has been named Senior Vice President and Colombo District Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, while MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake becomes the party’s National Organiser. The appointments were made during a meeting at the party headquarters yesterday (14th). |
World Bank team to assess the damage caused by DitwahDivaina A World Bank team will soon arrive in Sri Lanka to assess the overall impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Several other international organisations are expected to join the evaluation. Meanwhile, Italy has deployed a seven-member disaster relief team, while Germany and Switzerland have sent teams specialising in water treatment and sanitation. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ceylon Today
“Let us unite with unwavering determination to rebuild the nation” – President
Dinamina, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Virakesari
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the recent disaster has severely impacted Sri Lanka’s steadily recovering economy, urging citizens to unite with determination rather than despair to rebuild the nation.
He paid tribute to the Sri Lanka Navy for its courageous rescue operations, particularly at the Kala Oya, praising its life-saving efforts and honouring personnel who sacrificed their lives.
The President made these remarks at the commissioning and passing-out parade at the Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Academy on Saturday (December 13).
Parliament to meet on December 18
Mawbima, Dinamina, Divaina, Thinakkural
The government will hold a special parliamentary session on December 18 to secure approval for emergency funding for Cyclone Ditwah relief and infrastructure repairs.
A supplementary estimate will be submitted and debated before endorsement.
According to Aruna, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for convening Parliament at his request.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Terrorist attack in Sydney, 12 dead – Mawbima, Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Virakesari
2. Defence Secretary issues new gazette outlining aid distribution instructions – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Virakesari, Thamilan
3. Explosion on crude oil buoy near Colombo Port; suspected leak of 200 tonnes into the ocean – Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thamilan
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