DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “The government is attempting to control officials through intimidation” — Accusations by opposition MPs after a visit to the Department of Meteorology | Maximum support for the government’s reconstruction plan: Announcement by the vice chairperson of [the Standing Committee] of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China; assistance also for restoring the damaged railway infrastructure Thinakaran: “The economy will not face a downturn and is stronger than expected; it has been a year since moving past myths; stability in foreign exchange, interest rates and investments” – Minister Anil Jayantha | China’s assistance is essential to overcome the challenges of recovery |
Thinakkural: “The loss of life from the disaster could have been reduced; a conspiracy afoot to hide the truth by threatening officials; the government did not pay attention to early warnings” — Accusations by the main opposition party | USD 200 million in emergency financial aid: The IMF’s decision tomorrow Thamilan: A technical fault in a Turkey-bound flight; several hours of circling over the Chilaw airspace; 212 human lives saved by the pilot’s skillful maneuvering | Jeevan Thondaman to resign? Considering stepping down as the CWC Secretary; dissatisfaction with the actions of party members | A temporary ban on 10 types of medicines: A decision by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Did the two patients die due to the withdrawn vaccine? “Investigatons to continue” – The chairperson of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority | “Received information that a germ was present [in the vaccine]; 10 other medicines of the same company were also withdrawn” – The director general of health services | An elephant-tusker battle in the middle of the road: A garment workers’ bus also attacked; the police arrive and saves the affected group Divaina: Justice demanded for Sandumini from Mathugama: The use of nine other vaccines withdrawn until information is revealed whether the deaths were caused by the vaccine | Kehelbaddara Padme’s firearms found from a room in Enderamulla | 202 lives suspended for two hours, drifting in the void between two worlds Mawbima: The lives of 202 passengers saved by the skills of the Turkish pilot: Katunayake closes down for an hour; a trick used by the pilot to calm the passengers down; the whole airport on alert for the emergency landing | Anuradhapura [Teaching] Hospital requests protection: Doctors staged a strike yesterday as a reminder
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Dinamina: The Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate to parliament today; Rs.100 billion for damaged houses; Rs. 250 billion to rebuild infrastructure; Rs.150 billion for the agricultural and industrial sectors | Rs. 750 million from Japan for restoration work | “The use of 10 vaccines withdrawn” – The chairperson of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Aruna: 10 substandard Indian medicines withdrawn – The National Medicines Regulatory Authority Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Lanka News Web
Jeevan Thondaman to resign? Considering stepping down as the CWC secretary; dissatisfaction with the actions of party members
Thamilan
Internal sources of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) indicate that its general secretary, MP Jeevan Thondaman, is set to resign from the party soon. He has reportedly taken this decision due to severe dissatisfaction with the conduct of certain high-level party members and for specific political reasons.
Thondaman refused to comment on his potential departure when contacted by Thamilan regarding the matter. He currently represents the party as an MP.
A military officer to be appointed as the auditor general? Intellectuals and civil society activists question [the appointment]
Virakesari Intellectuals and civil society activists expressed strong dissatisfaction over reports that Colonel O.R. Rajasinghe, a serving army officer, is to be appointed as the auditor general. The National Professional Front (NPF) issued a statement claiming the appointment is a deliberate political conspiracy to bring the National Audit Office under the control of the executive. The NPF further noted that while the colonel’s military service is commendable, he lacks the necessary experience and suitability to fulfill the constitutional and civil responsibilities of the 41st auditor general. Human rights activist Ambika Satkunanathan and lawyer Aingkaran Kugathasan also raised concerns, stating that such a move undermines the independence of the office and promotes further militarisation. They highlighted that the public voted for the NPP expecting structural changes, yet the current government appears to be following the practices of previous administrations. |
The bill to Protect the State from Terrorism published; the new anti-terrorism bill replaces the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)Virakesari The Ministry of Justice has published the Protecting the State from Terrorism Bill on its website, signalling the government’s intent to repeal and replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) No. 48 of 1979. This follows previous unsuccessful attempts to replace the PTA in September 2018 under the Yahapaalana government, and twice in 2023 under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. While the new December 2025 draft removes the controversial Section 16(1) regarding confessions made to an assistant superintendent of police (ASP), observers note that much of the bill retains the structure of the existing law. Critics have raised concerns that the definitions of terrorism, detention orders and acquisition powers within the new bill may still pose significant threats to civil and political rights. Despite the proposed changes, the legislation is facing scrutiny for potentially mirroring the draconian nature of the original PTA. |
“Substandard medicines imported as the result of a secret agreement with India; patients faced with death” – Opposition MP Ajith P. PereraVirakesari SJB MP Ajith P. Perera asserted that the government’s failure to disclose bilateral agreements with India has led to the forced import of substandard medicines, resulting in patient deaths. Speaking at a media briefing, the MP noted that despite multiple requests in parliament, the government withheld the contents of these agreements, citing ongoing court cases. He claimed that at present, procurement focuses solely on low prices rather than international quality standards, leaving Sri Lanka with no choice but to accept the drugs provided under these pacts. Perera also expressed concern over whether Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa is being misled by officials, given the existing shortages and quality issues in the health sector. He urged the minister to clarify these matters in parliament and address the critical drug shortages currently affecting hospitals. |
“Establish a separate ministry for disaster management immediately” – Sajith [Premadasa]Thinakkural Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged the government to establish a dedicated ministry for disaster management to strengthen the country’s resilience following the recent calamities. During a visit on Tuesday (16th) to landslide-affected villages in the Ibbagamuwa area of the Kurunegala District, Premadasa noted that current disaster management efforts lack clear institutional roadmaps and coordination. He also highlighted that 21 years after the tsunami, the proposed Doppler radar system has yet to be fully established and appealed to the Japanese government to expedite its installation. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
Anuradhapura [Teaching] Hospital requests protection: Doctors staged a strike yesterday as a reminder
Mawbima, Aruna
The doctors of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital launched a token strike yesterday (17th), demanding a solution to the insecure conditions prevailing on the hospital premises and in the doctors’ quarters. Numerous patients who had travelled from remote areas to the hospital for treatment faced severe difficulties due to the strike.
A hospital spokesperson stated that while doctors withdrew from duties in the Outpatient Department (OPD) and clinics, other essential services remained operational.
The strike was initiated as the authorities had failed to take appropriate action following the discovery of over 100 empty T-56 ammunition cartridges in the medical officers’ housing complex last week, as well as previous reports of threats made against female doctors.
More aid to be received from the EU: The Rs. 655 million initially planned increased to Rs. 855 millionDinamina The EU has decided to further increase the amount of aid provided for relief efforts to support the people affected by the recent disaster due to Cyclone Ditwah. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, the EU has increased the aid it had previously agreed to provide for relief activities in Sri Lanka from Rs. 655 million (EUR 1.8 million) to Rs. 855 million (EUR 2.35 million). A special cargo aircraft belonging to the EU carrying a portion of the aid arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday (17th). The Boeing 747-400 large cargo aircraft brought in EU aid from Germany and Luxembourg. |
Rs. 750 million from Japan for restoration workDinamina The Japanese government has decided to provide Rs. 750 million (USD 2.5 million) in aid to Sri Lanka for reconstruction activities following the devastation caused by the cyclone. The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka stated that Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Isomata Akio officially informed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath regarding this aid at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism yesterday (17th). This aid will be utilised in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the WFP and UNICEF in response to the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. |
50 NBRO teams to investigate landslide risks
Dinamina
50 teams from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) commenced operations yesterday (17th) to inspect the conditions of areas affected by landslides due to adverse weather and to assess further landslide risks.
A senior scientist of the NBRO’s Landslide Research & Risk Management Division, Dr Wasantha Senadeera, stated that these teams are working to inspect high-risk locations in landslide-affected areas and provide the necessary reports.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
The Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate to the parliament today; Rs. 100 billion for damaged houses; Rs. 250 billion to rebuild infrastructure; Rs. 150 billion for the agricultural and industrial sectors
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando stated that a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion will be presented to parliament today (18th) for the year 2026 to restore public life disrupted by the disaster situation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
According to Fernando, Rs. 100 billion from the estimate will be allocated for fully destroyed, partially destroyed and damaged houses. Furthermore, Rs. 250 billion has been allocated for the construction of infrastructure, while the remaining Rs. 150 billion will be utilised to rebuild sectors such as industry and agriculture to regain lost livelihoods.
The minister made these remarks during a press conference held yesterday (17th) at the Department of Government Information regarding the economy of Sri Lanka. He also emphasised that no loans would be obtained and no tax increases would be implemented for this supplementary estimate.
10 substandard Indian medicines withdrawn – The National Medicines Regulatory Authority
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thamilan
The Ministry of Health has decided to withdraw 85,000 units of Ondansetron IV injections from use. A stock of 1,450,000 units of Ondansetron IV injections in total had been imported into the country following a proper tender process.
Chairperson of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Dr Ananda Wijewickrama stated that a decision has also been made to suspend 10 other types of injections produced by the same manufacturing company.
Wijewickrama emphasised that although two deaths were recently reported in connection with the Ondansetron IV injection, the decision to suspend the drug was not due to those fatalities. He made these remarks yesterday (17th) while participating in a press conference held at the Department of Government Information.
Wijewickrama also mentioned that investigations are still ongoing to determine the cause of the relevant deaths. The deaths occurred on December 13 and 14, and Wijewickrama further stated that the Ministry of Health had decided to suspend the use of this drug on December 12, prior to the occurrence of those deaths.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The president seeks help from China to rebuild damaged railroads | Maximum support for the government’s reconstruction plan: Announcement by the vice chairperson [of the Standing Committee] of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China; assistance also for restoring the damaged railway infrastructure – Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. The lives of 202 passengers saved by the skills of the Turkish pilot; Katunayake closes down for an hour; a trick used by pilot to calm the passengers down; the whole airport on alert for the emergency landing – Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. The public protest against Namal Rajapaksa in Laggala – Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural
4. The IMF to decide tomorrow on the emergency fund requested by Sri Lanka – Divaina, Thinakkural, Thamilan
5. A group of SJB MPs visit the Department of Meteorology seeking information | “The loss of life due to the disaster could have been reduced; a conspiracy afoot to hide the truth by threatening officials; the government did not pay attention to early warnings” — Accusations by opposition MPs after a visit to the Department of Meteorology – Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakkural
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