16 December 2025 | Vol. 11, #226

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “Danger in the New Year if there is no planning; Government must quickly rectify the damage caused to the economy”; Ranil faction warns | Pictorial: The Leader of the Opposition, Premadasa, participating in an event to distribute medical equipment to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah, took a selfie with health workers

Thinakaran: “Completely settle the payments for cleaning houses within this week” – President | Cyclone Ditwah: 302 out of 316 damaged roads reopened | Pay attention to the matter of children who have lost their parents | SLTB (Sri Lanka Transport Board) permits students to travel without uniforms or season tickets

Thinakkural: We oppose the arrival of Indian fisherfolk; Northern fisherfolk never opposed India | “Major setback for Ditwah aid; Sri Lanka has become an international orphan!”; “The two world superpowers, the US and China, have abandoned Sri Lanka; the damage is USD 6,500 million, but only USD 11 million has been received” – Gammanpila

Thamilan: Sydney shooting claims 15 lives; Heavy police security for Jewish places of worship; World leaders condemn; Temporary ban on visiting Bondi Beach | Children rendered helpless by the disaster; In a state of destitution! Police issue a special warning

Lankadeepa: Allegations that a Rs. 800 million loss was incurred while purchasing fuel: Arjuna Ranatunga to be arrested; bail granted for Dhammika Ranatunga – CIABOC informs court

Divaina: Causing a loss of over Rs. 800 million to CEYPETCO: Dhammika Ranatunga granted bail, Arjuna Ranatunga to be arrested and produced in court – CIABOC informs court

Mawbima: More than a million birth and marriage certificates have been destroyed: mobile services to reissue certificates put in place | “There was a shortage of drunkometers (balloons used to check drunk drivers)” – Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala | “If a normal person was hit, the balloons that the police don’t have would’ve been blown up spontaneously” – Dayasiri Jayasekara

Dinamina: Case of causing Rs. 800 million loss to government: Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga to be arrested – CIABOC informs the court | Former Chairperson of CEYPETCO Dhammika Ranatunga to be granted bail | Reissuing of birth and marriage certificates destroyed by disaster begins: one million certificates ruined | UN Population Fund provides Rs. 2,490 million for protection of distressed women and girls affected by the cyclone

Aruna: Arjuna Ranatunga to be arrested over investigation related to allegedly causing Rs. 800 million loss to CEYPETCO – CIABOC tells the court 

Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

“Major setback for Ditwah aid; Sri Lanka has become an international orphan!”; “The two world superpowers, the US and China, have abandoned Sri Lanka; the damage is USD 6,500 million, but only USD 11 million has been received” – Gammanpila

Thinakkural

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila claimed that the international community, including superpowers like the US and China, has abandoned Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah, asserting that the country has become an “international orphan.”

Addressing a media briefing yesterday (15th), he highlighted that while the estimated damage stands at USD 6.5 billion, only USD 11 million has been received in aid so far, which constitutes a mere 0.17% of the reconstruction costs.

Gammanpila contrasted this with the 2004 tsunami relief efforts, where 87% of the funds were secured through foreign aid, and criticised Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath for failing to garner similar international support compared to the late Lakshman Kadirgamar.

He further pointed out the significant drop in contributions from major powers, noting that the US provided USD 134 million during the tsunami but only USD 2 million for the current disaster.

We oppose the arrival of Indian fisherfolk; Northern fisherfolk never opposed India

Thinakkural

Representatives of the Northern Province Fisherfolk Network stated that while they oppose the arrival of Indian fisherfolk, they do not oppose India as a nation.

Speaking at a media briefing in Jaffna following a meeting yesterday (15th), they distanced themselves from critical remarks made by certain protest leaders regarding the Indian Consulate, describing them as personal opinions rather than the collective view of the fisherfolk.

They highlighted that India has consistently been the first to assist Sri Lanka during economic crises and natural disasters.

Furthermore, they urged the authorities to resolve the issue diplomatically through the intervention of the Indian and Sri Lankan governments.

Intense security for places of worship ahead of the festival; More than 2,500 police officers on duty in the Western Province

Thinakkural, Thamilan

Police Media Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler stated that special police security has been provided targeting cities and places of worship in view of the festive season, with over 2,500 police officers deployed in the Western Province alone.

Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo yesterday (15th), he noted that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has issued special instructions to all police stations to ensure security in crowded areas and shopping complexes.

He advised the public to be vigilant regarding their vehicles and valuables, and to report any suspicious individuals to the nearest police officer.

Furthermore, he mentioned that plainclothes officers, intelligence officers, the Special Task Force (STF), and the tri-forces have been mobilised to ensure public safety.

“Danger in the New Year if there is no planning; Government must quickly rectify the damage caused to the economy”; Ranil faction warns [Harin Fernando]

Virakesari

UNP Deputy Secretary Harin Fernando warned that the economy risks a severe crisis by the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year if the government fails to address the economic impact of the recent natural disaster immediately.

He criticised the lack of a clear recovery plan beyond relief distribution and demanded transparency regarding the reported USD 4 billion aid from India.

Fernando further urged the government to abandon its arrogant approach and consult experienced leaders, citing the success of previous disaster management strategies under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

The brakes of Ranwala’s vehicle are weak – Police 

Lankadeepa, Aruna

The Sapugaskanda Police stated that it has been revealed that the brakes of the jeep driven by NPP MP Ashoka Ranwala, which met with an accident recently in the Sapugaskanda area, were in a state of weak maintenance.

This was revealed when the Gampaha District Motor Vehicle Examiner inspected the jeep yesterday (15th).

The accident occurred on Thursday (11th), when the jeep driven by MP Ashoka Ranwala collided with a motorcycle and another car in Sapugaskanda.

A six-month-old infant, the infant’s mother, and grandmother, who were travelling in the car, sustained serious injuries in the accident.

Galle budget lost by two votes

Lankadeepa, Aruna

The Galle Municipal Council budget for the year 2026 was defeated yesterday (15th) by two votes. The budget received 17 votes in favour and 19 votes against.

The 17 councillors of the NPP, who hold the governing power of the Galle Municipal Council, voted in favour of the budget.

Voting against the budget were nine councillors from the SJB, five councillors from the UNP, three councillors from the SLPP, and two councillors from the SLFP.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS