DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “I will eradicate the ‘underworld’s dark kingdom”’ – President Anura’s firm stance; also instructs certain government officials to correct their old habits | India continues to urge holding of provincial council elections | “It is essential for Sri Lanka’s accountability program to continue” – Human Rights Watch emphasises Thinakaran: “A special turning point in 2025 economically, socially, politically, and legally” – President |
Thinakkural: “The country has suffered due to armed criminal gangs; they have created an underworld kingdom! We will definitely destroy this and bring it to an end,” says President Anura | Are the army’s weapons in the hands of underworld gangs? Inventory conducted in military camps | New EU regulations pose a fresh challenge to Sri Lanka after 2027 Thamilan: “When will the provincial elections be held?” – New Delhi questions Colombo | Abolition of MPs’ pension; Bill to Parliament next week | Electricity Board’s Colombo office surrounded; employees protest |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: “Weapons from the army, guard by the police and fraudulent passports: ministers who brought home underworld figures have taken money from them” – President states while commencing work on the Kadawatha-Mirigama highway Divaina: Sampath Manamperi, who surrendered to the Walasmulla court, to be kept in narcotic detention for seven days | “They are following the ‘work-to-rule’ campaign and going on sick leave. Work cannot continue in this manner; adapt to the new political system or leave” – President Mawbima: “Those who cannot adapt to the new political system will be sent away” – A red light from the president to state workers | Ban on UNP members that aligned themselves with the SJB, lifted |
Dinamina: “The underground black state will be ended: the list of politicians who made deals with the underworld is revealed” – President | “Was it a crime to change the law that was brought forth by the previous government to sell the CEB?” – President in Kolonnawa Aruna: Cases to be filed against companies that dump garbage on the coast: companies given initial warnings Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Hindu
“Tamil and Muslim communities must unite; that is the way to live with dignity and pride” – says Sumanthiran
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
Speaking at the 25th death anniversary of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) founder M.H.M. Ashraff on Tuesday (16th), ITAK’s General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran stated that the Tamil and Muslim communities must work together to live with dignity and self-respect in Sri Lanka.
He emphasised that such a collaboration must affirm their unique identities rather than diminish them.
Sumanthiran recalled that ITAK’s constitution, from its inception, envisioned a federal system with two autonomous units: one for the Tamils and one for the Muslims.
He asserted that by following the visionary past examples set by Ashraff and ITAK, both communities can ensure their existence and establish a system of self-governance within the country.
India continues to urge holding of provincial council elections | “Differences of opinion among Tamil parties regarding provincial council” – Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha
Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Virakesari, Thamilan: Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha reportedly urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to conduct the provincial council elections during a recent meeting. The discussion also covered the implementation of the 13th Amendment and the progress of Indian-led development projects in Sri Lanka. This follows a similar call from India’s representative at the 60th session of the UNHRC for Sri Lanka to fully implement its constitution and hold the elections. Thinakaran: The high commissioner has stated that India’s ability to take significant action regarding the provincial councils depends on a unified stance among Tamil political parties. He noted that the inconsistent position of some Tamil parties, who at times demand the provincial council and at other times reject it, complicates India’s negotiations with the Sri Lankan government. Speaking to the heads of Tamil media organisations, he emphasised that India remains keen on ensuring full regional administration for the Tamil-speaking people. He urged the parties, particularly in the North and East, to provide a firm, written consensus, which would enable India to advance the discussions more successfully. |
Abolition of MPs’ pension; bill to parliament next weekThinakkural, Thamilan
The government plans to submit a bill to parliament next week to completely abolish the pension scheme for Members of Parliament (MPs). This move follows a recent announcement by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding the cancellation of the MPs’ pension. Speaking at an event on Tuesday (16th), Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage confirmed the plan, stating that the political culture has been changed by reducing privileges for officials from the president downwards. He claimed that corruption has been eliminated and a stop has been put to wasteful expenditure of public funds on politicians. |
Tamil and Sinhala parties meet in Switzerland to discuss a solution to the ethnic issue
Thinakaran A two-day discussion arranged by the Government of Switzerland was held on Tuesday (16th) and Wednesday (17th) to find a suitable solution to Sri Lanka’s long-standing ethnic problem. A 19-member delegation travelled from Sri Lanka, comprising senior members of the National People’s Power (NPP) government and the JVP, alongside MPs, former members, and other key figures from Tamil nationalist parties. The discussions reportedly focused on the Swiss constitutional system, particularly its federal model of governance. This meeting takes place as the new government previously announced that solutions to the ethnic issue will be incorporated into a new constitution. |
“It is essential for Sri Lanka’s accountability program to continue” – Human Rights Watch emphasisesVirakesari
Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) Deputy Director for Asia, Meenakshi Ganguly, has asserted that unpunished events from Sri Lanka 16 years ago have become a precedent for the violations and tactics currently being used in Gaza. In a recent article, she argued that the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) mandated accountability project for Sri Lanka is essential not only for local human rights but also to challenge the global trend of impunity. Ganguly urged the UNHRC to renew its mandate to collect evidence of international crimes at its ongoing 60th session in Geneva. She highlighted that despite the discovery of around 20 mass graves and evidence of war crimes by both the state and the LTTE in 2009, no successful investigations have been concluded due to a lack of political will. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
CEB to continue to be on sick leave today as well
Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna
According to leaders of electricity trade unions, 11,000 out of the 22,000 employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) reported sick yesterday (17th), and the remaining 11,000 will report sick today (18th).
Speaking to a crowd gathered for the protest, General Secretary of the Ceylon Electricity Board’s Free Employees’ Union, Prabath Priyantha, stated that although 13 days had passed since their “work-to-rule” trade union action, the government had not responded.
He added that if the government continues to belittle the CEB employees, the day when the entire country will be plunged into darkness is not far off.
‘Backhoe Saman’ and ‘Thambili Lahiru’ to court
Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna Two organised crime suspects, known as ‘Backhoe Saman’ and ‘Thambili Lahiru’, were produced in the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court yesterday (17th) while in detention. The suspects are being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and are in the custody of the Western Province North Crimes Investigation Division. Police stated that the court appearance was for authorities to present details related to a red notice that had been issued for the suspects’ arrest. Both individuals were part of a group of five organised crime suspects, which also included ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, who were recently apprehended in Indonesia and brought back to Sri Lanka. |
Budget on September 26: president’s budget speech on November 7
Dinamina The Appropriation Bill for the year 2026, prepared in line with the ‘A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life’ policy framework, will be presented to Parliament on September 26th. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, is scheduled to deliver the second reading of the bill, or the budget speech, on November 7. This year’s budget has been drafted based on the theme of ‘A Productive Economy and Foster the Engagement of Everyone in Economic Development’, following the 2026-2030 fiscal framework, the public fiscal strategy statement, and the national policy framework. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Lanka News Web
“The underground black state will be ended: the list of politicians who made deals with the underworld is revealed” – President | “Was it a crime to change the law that was brought forth by the previous government to sell the CEB?” – President in Kolonnawa
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that organised gangs have pumped money into political authorities in various ways, with some MPs receiving money in a manner similar to a monthly rent.
The President also highlighted that information has been revealed that some ministers have had money delivered to their homes on a monthly basis.
According to the President, a “black state” has been created by organised criminal gangs, mirroring the state that exists on the surface.
He added that the weapons needed by this black state are received from the legal armed forces, and their drug transport is handled by the very police responsible for suppressing drugs.
The President emphasised that due to this situation, organised gangs have acquired an underground state that is equal to the formal state.
He noted that these individuals are carrying out shootings, murders, and threats.
The President stressed that this underground state will definitely be ended, adding that without doing so, it would be impossible to create a developed and safe country for children.
The statements were made yesterday (17th) as the construction of the Kadawatha-Mirigama Section of the Central Expressway resumed under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Additionally, the Sinhala press reported quoting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake questioning whether the “work-to-rule” actions and sick leaves taken by Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees are a result of this government’s decision to change the law brought in by the previous government to privatise the CEB.
The President made these remarks yesterday (17th) at the event to begin construction on six new oil storage tanks at the Kolonnawa Petroleum Storage Complex.
The President stated that the previous government had drafted the law to privatise the CEB, but the current government changed those laws after realising the impact it would have on energy sovereignty.
Therefore, he emphasised that if these employees continue to take sick leave or work to rule, they have other paths to choose from in the next two months.
UNP decides to remove all bans imposed on party members who were connected to the SJB
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The UNP working committee, led by Leader of the UNP and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has decided to remove all disciplinary actions and bans placed on members who aligned with the SJB.
The decision was made during a working committee meeting held yesterday (17th) at the Sirikotha party headquarters in Pitakotte.
In response to the move, a committee headed by former Attorney General and President’s Counsel Tilak Marapana was formed to assess any potential legal ramifications.
According to Chair of the UNP Wajira Abeywardana, this action removes barriers that had previously prevented members who joined the SJB from reuniting with the UNP and collaborating.
The working committee also unanimously passed a resolution expressing gratitude to all parties who have supported the UNP’s collective political efforts since the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Middeniya ‘ice’ material incident: Manamperi, who surrendered to the police, kept in detention for seven days – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. Protest in front of the CEB demanding protection for CEB employees’ rights –Divaina, Mawbima, Thamilan
3. 1,000 stores which violated the rice control price to be brought before the law – Divaina, Thinakaran
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