DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Pressure for federal system of government” – Tamil National Council meets Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in person and requests | “Take action to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee” – Opposition parties request the Speaker via a letter Thinakaran: “Gas distribution will not be affected; first ship in January; people need not fear; new agreement at a price USD 15 lower; do not expect us to fall to challenges” — Vijitha Herath | Tamil National Council members meet with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister |
Thinakkural: “Tamil Nadu must exert significant pressure on Sri Lanka and help achieve federalism for Tamils; it must also urge the Indian government to support this position” – MP Gajendrakumar urges Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin | “The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister must intervene to control cross-border fishing” – MP Gajendrakumar Thamilan: Army Colonel as the new Auditor General; Anura’s recommendation rejected again! Definitive decision by the Constitutional Council | “Genocide once again through circulars” — MP Shritharan lashes out at the government |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The Ranwala road accident: the police have not done their duty properly: police themselves to investigate the group of police officers involved, including the Sapugaskanda OIC Divaina: Dismissing the complaint against Deshabandu: the decision of the magistrate’s court is contrary to the law: immediately reconsider in accordance with the proper process – Colombo High Court orders Mawbima: Victoria, Randenigala and Rantambe reservoirs spill over: schools of the Central Province closed: a landslide in Ududumbara again; Mahamaya Girls’ College closed indefinitely; highest rainfall reported from Ududumbara | The police have bent the law in the Ranwala incident: disciplinary action to be taken against four police chiefs
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Dinamina: Allowing the attack on the Galle Face Aragalaya: the dismissal of the case against Deshabandu Tennakoon is contrary to the law – High Court rules Aruna: Ranwala’s incident: disciplinary inquiries for police officers; case to be heard at Mahara Court today Anidda: 1,241 places with risks of landslides identified: investigations will take years – NBRO |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: IBC
“The Indian government must pressure for a federal system in Sri Lanka; also express DMK’s stance on this” — Tamil National Council urges the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan, Thinakaran
A delegation from the Tamil National Council, led by Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, held an official meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday (18th) to urge Indian pressure for a federal constitutional settlement in Sri Lanka.
During the hour-long discussion at the Chennai Secretariat, the delegation presented a letter requesting the Chief Minister to persuade the Indian central government to block the implementation of a “unitary” (Ekiya Rajya) constitution.
They emphasised that a federal system—recognising the Tamil nation’s sovereignty and right to self-determination—is essential to fulfil the aspirations of Eelam Tamils.
“Genocide once again through circulars” — MP Shritharan lashes out at the government
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan ITAK MP Sivagnanam Shritharan asserted in parliament yesterday (18th) that the NPP government is attempting a “new form of genocide” through administrative circulars. During an adjournment debate on natural disasters, Shritharan argued that while previous governments used military force, the current administration is using “invisible and sophisticated” methods to undermine the Tamil people. He specifically highlighted a recent circular from the Presidential Secretariat regarding the ‘Praja Shakthi’ national movement, claiming it bypasses elected representatives—such as MPs and provincial councillors—to empower unelected government loyalists. |
“We will not leave the Hill Country for any reason!” — MP Radhakrishnan requests the government to protect their homelandThamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran V. Radhakrishnan, MP and leader of the Up-Country People’s Front (UPF), declared in parliament yesterday (18th) that the Hill Country is the homeland of its people and they will not relocate to the North or East. He demanded that the government provide all necessary facilities for residents to remain in their own territory. He noted that the second reading of the 2026 Budget lacked a firm commitment regarding the wages of plantation workers and urged the government to allocate 5,000 acres of land to provide 7-perch plots for housing to the community. |
Leaders of six Tamil parties to meet with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha
Virakesari, Thinakkural
ITAK and Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) leaders are scheduled to meet the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, in Colombo on December 23 (Tuesday).
The discussion will focus on urging India to pressure the Sri Lankan government regarding the expansion of Palaly International Airport and the commercial activation of Kankesanthurai Port.
A joint petition prepared by the leaders of six parties, including acting leader of ITAK C.V.K. Sivagnanam, EPRLF Leader Suresh Premachandran, PLOTE Leader Dharmalingam Siddharthan, and TELO Leader Selvam Adaikalanathan, will be handed over during the meeting.
DPP Leader Sivananthan Navaneetharaja and Samathuva Party Leader Murugesu Chandrakumar are also expected to participate.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
The Ranwala road accident: the police have not done their duty properly: police themselves to investigate the group of police officers involved, including the Sapugaskanda OIC | The Ranwala case to be heard today in Mahara
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
In investigations conducted into the accident where a jeep driven by former Speaker and MP Ashoka Ranwala collided with a motorcycle and a car, it has been revealed that the OIC of the Sapugaskanda Police, the OIC of the Traffic Branch, and senior officials supervising the Sapugaskanda Police have neglected their duties.
Accordingly, on the instructions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya, the Police Special Investigation Unit has initiated a preliminary inquiry against these officers.
The road accident occurred on December 11 in Sapugaskanda.
“The Litro gas company has been removed from the Omani company; a gas shortage in the country by next February” – MP Chamara Sampath DasanayakeDivaina, Mawbima, Aruna NDF MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake stated in parliament yesterday (18th) that the country will face a shortage of gas by February 2026. He added that Litro Gas was supplied by an Omani company until now and that from the first of next month, it will be given to a Swiss company. He added that until now, the Standards Institution was allowed to check the quality of gas at sea and that the new company has not given permission for this move, and the discussions are still ongoing. Dasanayake added that if the tender goes to this company, a gas shortage within three months cannot be prevented. |
Dismissing the complaint against Deshabandu: the decision of the magistrate’s court goes against the law: immediately reconsider in accordance with the proper process – Colombo High Court ordersDivaina, Dinamina The Colombo High Court, yesterday (18th), ruled that the decision taken by the then Colombo Chief Magistrate to reject a private case filed by a protester against Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was serving as the Senior Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Western Province at the time, for the criminal charge of neglecting to exercise police powers by allowing the attack on the Galle Face peaceful protest, is contrary to the law. Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne delivered this verdict after examining an appeal presented by a protester against the order of the Colombo Chief Magistrate. |
“A committee to estimate the damage caused to the ecosystem and the wildlife population of the country” – Minister Dammika Patabendi
Dinamina
Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi stated in parliament yesterday (18th) that a special committee has been appointed to assess the damage caused to the country’s ecosystem and the wildlife population requiring conservation due to the disaster situation.
The minister stated that this committee was appointed on December 11 and has been instructed to submit the relevant report within 14 days.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website
“There is no shortage of gas; do not create a false fear among the people” – Vijitha Herath
Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath informed parliament yesterday (18th) that the country will not face an LP Gas shortage in the coming months.
Addressing concerns regarding supply stability, Minister Herath dismissed claims by the Opposition as attempts to incite unnecessary public fear.
He confirmed that a new supplier was selected through a competitive tender process after submitting a bid lower than the previous provider.
Following the signing of the agreement and the granting of quality inspection approvals, the initial shipment from this company is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka by January 5, 2026.
Minister Herath reassured the public that the transition to the new supplier is finalised and that stocks will remain sufficient.
Heavy rains: a flood, landslide risk? Landslide reported in Dothalukanda: three houses destroyed | Heavy rains in Ududumbara: red notices issued to several secretariats in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya | Schools in the Central Province given holidays till December 29
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Rainfall has resumed across many parts of the country due to the activation of the Northeast Monsoon.
As a result of the prevailing weather conditions, the Victoria, Randenigala, Rantambe, and Nachchaduwa reservoirs reached spill level yesterday (18th).
Additionally, due to the adverse weather conditions, a decision has been made to grant holidays once again to all schools in the Central Province starting today (19th).
Governor of the Central Province Professor Sarath Abayakoon and provincial education authorities reached this decision following a discussion held yesterday (18th).
Senior Geologist attached to the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), Dr Wasantha Senadeera, stated that red evacuation notices have been issued to residents in several Divisional Secretariat Divisions within the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.
He further noted that these red notices were reissued after considering the rainfall levels recorded the day before yesterday (17th).
Papers also reported the highest rainfall from Ududumbara, and a landslide had also occurred in Dothalukanda, where three houses had been swept away.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Need a special working committee to look into the lack of preparedness for the disaster | Conduct an efficient study on the lack of preparedness to face the cyclone: the Opposition makes a suggestion to the Speaker – Divaina, Dinamina, Anidda, Virakesari, Thamilan
2. “Northern, Batticaloa and Puttalam lines open for train operations from January 1” – Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena – Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
3. The Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate handed over to parliament by the Prime Minister – Dinamina, Virakesari, Thamilan
4. Nomination given by president for post of Auditor General, rejected again – Anidda, Virakesari, Thamilan
5. “Ready to withdraw from leadership if it is an obstacle to the marriage between the UNP and the SJB” – [Ranil] Wickremesinghe – Dinamina, Thamilan
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