DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: No pension for MPs; Law passed in Parliament with a majority of 152 votes | “The unity mentioned by the president is not visible in action regarding Tamil issues” – Tamil leaders inform UK Deputy PM David Lammy Thinakaran: “No threat to national security; safety of lawyers has been ensured” – Minister Ananda Wijepala | Housing project for war-displaced in North and East; cabinet approval granted | “Drugs and the underworld have ruined the country through political patronage; the government has a strong plan to suppress them; public cooperation is essential” – Minister Vijitha Herath | Pictorial: UK Deputy PM David Lammy meets the president |
Thinakkural: Sexual violence from 1983 to 2009: What is the government’s response to the UN report? – MP Shritharan | “The government is claiming Sri Lanka is a racist country!” – MP Dilith Jayaweera alleges damage to national reputation | “Anura Kumara is not a ‘Sinhalese president'” – Minister Harshana Nanayakkara Thamilan: “If the government has public support, why hesitate for elections?” – Sajith challenges the government to hold provincial council elections | The bill to abolish MP pensions was passed in parliament |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: “Heavy security for judges and attorneys” – Minister Ananda Wijepala states in parliament | The Jinthupitiya murder: “officers cannot be remanded in order to protect the good name of the police: if four were on security, why are only two named as suspects?” – Magistrate states while granting bail to two police officers Divaina: MP pensions abolished: a majority of 152 votes; a total of 154 votes in favour; MP Ravi Karunanayake and MP Ramanathan Archchuna also vote in favour: MP Chamara Sampath and MP Chanaka vote against; other MPs of the opposition absent from parliament during vote Mawbima: “There is a plan to remove the secretary-general of the parliament as well” – SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna states in parliament | “Do not provide railway engine training to the army” – [Locomotive Operating Engineers Union]: government agrees to the drivers’ request; strike halted
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Dinamina: MP pensions abolished: a majority of 152 votes; MP Chamara Sampath and MP Chanaka Madugoda vote against; Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa and Leader of the MJP Dilith Jayaweera absent from parliament Aruna: The police watched as the Jinthupitiya murderers fled: “remand the PC and sergeants to protect the good name of the police” – Police requests; “that cannot be done according to the Bail Act” – Magistrate Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Sexual violence from 1983 to 2009: What is the government’s response to the UN report? – MP Shritharan
Thinakkural, Thamilan
ITAK MP S. Shritharan questioned the government’s stance regarding a report recently released by the UNHRC concerning conflict-related sexual violence and oppression in Sri Lanka between 1983 and 2009.
Speaking in parliament yesterday (17th), he noted that neither the government nor the relevant minister had responded to the report issued on January 13, 2026, which contains testimonies from 23 women and four men.
Shritharan emphasised that if the government respects the law, it must conduct proper investigations based on this evidence, as many perpetrators remain free or hold official positions.
Additionally, he highlighted the lack of justice for a 17-year-old boy killed in a police shooting in Allaipiddy, Jaffna, on February 10.
“The North is ignored; the Vanni soil is betrayed; most of our time is spent repeatedly pointing this out” – Ravikaran MP
Thinakkural Speaking in parliament yesterday (17th), ITAK MP T. Ravikaran stated that the Vanni region continues to be marginalised due to a chronic imbalance in resource distribution across various sectors. While acknowledging that the government provides some development-based relief, he questioned when true equality would be achieved for the region. Ravikaran highlighted that the Northern Province is neglected on a national level, and within the province, the Vanni area is further sidelined. |
“The unity mentioned by the president is not visible in action regarding Tamil issues” – Tamil leaders inform UK Deputy PM David LammyVirakesari
Representatives of Tamil national political parties met with visiting British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy yesterday (17th) at the British High Commission in Colombo. During the 40-minute meeting, the delegation, including ITAK’s M.A. Sumanthiran, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, and S. Shritharan; ACTC leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam; and DTNA’s Selvam Adaikalanathan, expressed gratitude for Britain’s stance on human rights at the UNHRC. They pointed out that while President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasises inter-ethnic unity, he appears reluctant to discuss a permanent political solution or a new constitution. The representatives asserted that they do not oppose unity but will not compromise on political rights, noting that advocating for Tamil rights is often unfairly labelled as “racism.” |
“We will ensure ethnic harmony! Measures taken to heal broken hearts” – Minister Harshana announces
Thamilan
Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the government has taken legal measures to ensure ethnic harmony and heal minds divided by communal conflicts.
Speaking in parliament yesterday (17th), he noted that Tamil people in the North, East, and Hill Country affectionately refer to the president as “our president” rather than a “Sinhala president.”
The minister explained that the bill to abolish life-long pensions for MPs who serve only five years was introduced to meet public aspirations and ensure financial responsibility during the economic crisis.
He revealed that Rs. 34.4 million was spent on MP pensions in January 2025 alone, a cost he deemed unjustifiable given current conditions.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“Do not provide railway engine training to the army” – [Locomotive Operating Engineers Union]: government agrees to the drivers’ request; strike halted
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Aruna
The Locomotive Operating Engineers Union called off the strike that was scheduled to be launched from midnight yesterday (17th).
Secretary of the Union Dimuthu Edirisinghe stated that the decision to suspend the strike was made following the government’s move to temporarily halt the plan to provide engine driver training to Sri Lanka Army officers.
Previously, the strike was announced in protest against a move to begin training a group of military officers as train engine drivers.
Locomotive operators opposed the decision to include the proposed military officers in the training programme.
“Additional taxes have not been imposed on vehicle importation” – Deputy Minister Anil JayanthaDinamina Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando stated that an additional tax has not been imposed on vehicle imports. The minister made the statement while responding to a question regarding the truth or falsity of the matter, at a time when a misconception regarding it was spreading among the public and on social media. Minister Fernando further explained the matter by advising the public not to be afraid or deceived, as no additional taxes have been imposed. Fernando stated that certain importers are creating fear in society and building an opinion that goods prices will increase as a tactic to sell their products. Fernando requested the public not to be misled and urged them to make decisions based on accurate information. |
“There’s no need to make a formal determination on the Protection of Occupants Bill” – Speaker informs that SC has decidedDinamina Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne announced in Parliament yesterday (17th) that the Supreme Court (SC) has decided there is no requirement to make a formal determination regarding the Protection of Occupants and Rent Repeal Bills, which were challenged under Article 121.1 of the constitution. Wickramaratne further stated that, based on information provided by the secretary of the Ministry of Justice to the attorney general (AG) on February 6, the bills will not proceed in their current form. Instead, the Speaker informed parliament that the relevant bills will be referred to an expert committee for consideration, and appropriate steps will be taken to present them as new bills. Accordingly, the Supreme Court (SC) has concluded that, as the petitioners have withdrawn their petitions, it is unnecessary to announce a formal determination under Article 121.3 of the constitution. |
USD 400 million from the WB for the development of Sri Lanka
Dinamina
The World Bank (WB) has agreed to provide USD 400 million through the Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO), a three-year programme covering the 2026-2028 period.
This initiative aims to further support the country’s structural reform agenda by enhancing Sri Lanka’s competitiveness and openness, improving economic governance, and thereby creating strong and more sustainable economic growth.
Accordingly, the cabinet has granted approval to the proposal presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to secure the relevant funding facility from the WB.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Lanka Leader
Parliamentary Pensions Bill passed with a majority of 152 votes: 154 votes in favour, while Chamara Sampath and Madugoda oppose
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Parliamentary Pensions Bill to abolish pension benefits for MPs was passed in parliament yesterday (17th) without any amendments.
The second reading and debate on the bill took place yesterday (17th), followed by a vote.
Subsequently, the bill was passed with a majority of 152 votes.
While a total of 154 MPs voted in favour, only two voted against it.
The two opposing votes were from New Democratic Front (NDF) MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake and SLPP MP Chanaka Madugoda.
The papers highlighted the absence of several MPs during the vote, including Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and the MPs of the SJB, National Organiser of the SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa and SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka.
With this approved bill, the pension benefits currently received by former MPs and their widows stand to be abolished.
IMF MD Kristalina Georgieva meets the victims of Ditwah | Georgieva meets President Dissanayake
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, during her visit to Sri Lanka, joined an observation tour yesterday (17th) to Mawatura village in the Udapalatha Divisional Secretariat Division, which was affected by landslides during Cyclone Ditwah.
During this visit, Georgieva exchanged views with the affected people and expressed her condolences to them.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Governor of the Central Province Professor Sarath Abayakoon, and several others joined the occasion.
Georgieva also met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (17th) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussion included topics such as Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, post-disaster assistance and the next phase of the IMF-supported reform programme.
The IMF Managing Director expressed solidarity with Sri Lanka following recent natural disasters.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “Heavy security for judges and attorneys” – Minister Ananda Wijepala states in parliament –Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. Court prevents decision to cancel MP Dayasiri Jayasekera’s SLFP membership – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran
3. “The NPP has brought this Act forward with malicious intent” – MP Dilith Jayaweera – Divaina, Thinakkural, Thamilan
4. “If the praise for the government is high, hold the provincial council elections” – Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa – Aruna, Virakesari, Thamilan
5. “There should be a pension scheme for the MPs” – Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa – Divaina, Thamilan
6. “There is a plan to remove the secretary-general of the parliament as well” – SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna states in parliament – Mawbima, Thinakkural
7. President Dissanayake leaves for India – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
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