DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “People are disappointed by JVP’s pro-India policy” – SJB MP Sujeewa Senasinghe alleges | “Abandon the shadow provincial council immediately” – MP Selvam urges Thinakaran: “The President has allocated Rs. 5 million each for land and housing for plantation workers affected by Cyclone Ditwah” – Minister [Vidyaratne] announces | Ramadan fasting begins in Sri Lanka today as the crescent moon has been sighted | Railway strike holding O/L students to ransom? Transport Minister expresses strong condemnation and concern |
Thinakkural: Namal’s Cambridge University speech cancelled due to strong protests from the Tamil diaspora; Name removed from the speakers’ list | “Kivul Oya project documents contain nothing regarding the affected Tamils” – MP Sathiyalingam points out to the Minister | “The government is attempting to create a shadow provincial council under the governor without holding elections!” – We can never allow the implementation of something that is not in the constitution: MP Selvam Thamilan: “We will not take a step back!” – Abhayarama Thera makes a public announcement, pointing to the Maha Sangha Convention | “Vehicle taxes may increase!” – Warning from the Vehicle Importers’ Association | Technical glitch on the ETA platform; temporary arrangements implemented |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Lawyer who forged false deeds sentenced to 16 years in prison: manager [of land owner] also imprisoned: orders issued to pay the land owner Rs. 1.6 million [in compensation] | Ranil Wickremesinghe’s trip to England: Maithree Wickremesinghe to appear before the CID tomorrow | Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake granted bail Divaina: Lawyer who forged deeds and sold land imprisoned for 16 years: manager of the land owner also imprisoned; both fined Rs. 180,000 and ordered to pay Rs. 800,000 each as compensation Mawbima: Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake granted bail | Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe to appear before the FCID tomorrow | “The tri-forces must be trained not only for the Railway but also for hospitals in order to face any emergency situations” — Minister Bimal Rathnayake states in parliament
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Dinamina: The Puttalam Chair of the SLPP Lawyers’ Association, sentenced to 16 years in prison for creating forged deeds for lands: had even contested and lost at the general election; held a post in the Wennapuwa Council as well; 25 more forged-deed court cases Aruna: 85,000 individuals belonging to the poor and extremely poor categories are at risk of losing the Aswesuma benefits Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
“The President has allocated Rs. 5 million each for land and housing for plantation workers affected by Cyclone Ditwah” – Minister Vidyaratne announces
Thinakaran, Thamilan, Virakesari
Minister of Plantation Industries and Social Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratne informed parliament yesterday (18th) that the government has allocated sufficient funds to develop infrastructure in plantation areas alongside the Indian Housing Project.
Responding to questions from SJB MP P. Ariyawansa, the minister noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is in discussions to provide land rights and Rs. 5 million for house construction to residents affected by natural disasters such as Cyclone Ditwah.
He highlighted that funding for plantation housing development has fluctuated over the years, with Rs. 767 million allocated for 2025.
Minister Vidyaratne expressed gratitude to the Indian prime minister for the support provided towards housing for the Hill Country community.
Namal’s Cambridge University speech cancelled due to strong protests from the Tamil diaspora; Name removed from the speakers’ list
Thinakkural The University of Cambridge has cancelled a scheduled lecture by SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa following intense opposition from the Eelam Tamil diaspora. The university removed Namal Rajapaksa from its speaker list for the 25th of this month after receiving numerous protest emails from the diaspora community. Currently, Tamil diaspora groups have also raised objections against a similar invitation extended to the MP by the University of Oxford for the same date. A joint statement issued by over 20 Tamil student unions and the British Tamil Conservatives (BTC) demanded an immediate cancellation of the invitation and a public apology from the institutions for insulting war victims. The statement asserts that Namal Rajapaksa, as a member of the Rajapaksa family, cannot evade accountability for alleged war crimes, genocide, and human rights violations committed during the final stages of the conflict. |
“People are disappointed by JVP’s pro-India policy” – SJB MP Sujeewa Senasinghe allegesThinakkural, Virakesari
SJB MP Sujeewa Senasinghe claimed in parliament yesterday (18th) that JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva’s previous anti-India policies led to approximately 60,000 deaths. Speaking during a debate on the Special Commodity Levy Act, the MP noted that despite these historical tensions, the JVP leadership now maintains a close friendship with India. He expressed that the public is disappointed by such shifts in political ideology, which change according to the times. Furthermore, Senasinghe criticised the government for failing to reduce expenditure or the cost of living as promised, alleging they are simply continuing the economic policies of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. |
“The government is attempting to create a shadow provincial council under the governor without holding elections!” – We can never allow the implementation of something that is not in the constitution: MP Selvam
Thinakkural, Virakesari
Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) MP Selvam Adaikalanathan stated in parliament yesterday (18th) that the government’s attempt to establish ministries within provincial councils without holding elections is an unconstitutional move to create a “shadow” provincial council system.
He emphasised that such efforts to manage provincial administration through governors and officials instead of elected representatives must not be allowed.
The MP also highlighted that essential food items are not being sold at fixed prices due to official negligence and urged the government to ensure fair pricing for the public.
Furthermore, he requested the Minister of Transport to address the inconsistent railway services in Mannar, specifically the night train services.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Lanka Leader
Chairperson of Lanka Sugar Company resigns
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna
Citing increasing political pressure and governance concerns, Chairperson of Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Ltd Sandamali Chandrasekera has resigned from her post with immediate effect.
In a letter addressed to Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Chandrasekera stated that she was stepping down as she was unable to discharge her duties in a manner consistent with good governance and institutional integrity.
Chandrasekera noted in her resignation letter that despite honest efforts to explain the legal and regulatory constraints operating within the Lanka Sugar Company, local politicians have acted contrary to the law, regulations, and government circulars by refusing to accept these explanations.
She further states that due to the continuous pressure exerted by them, it has become increasingly difficult for her to perform her duties in accordance with good governance and corporate integrity.
Lawyer who forged deeds and sold land imprisoned for 16 years: manager of the land owner also imprisoned; both fined Rs. 180,000 and ordered to pay Rs. 800,000 each as compensationLankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina Chilaw High Court Judge Nayomi Tamara Wickramasekera yesterday (18th) sentenced a lawyer and another individual to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment after finding them guilty of three charges, including defrauding money by creating a forged deed for a land belonging to a resident of Thamaravila, Waikkala, and selling it while preparing other related forged documents. Those sentenced in this manner are Attorney-at-Law Alex Nishantha Fernando, who is a member of the Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha representing the SLPP and the manager of the land, Warnakulasuriya Ranpati Devage Saman Kumara. Both the accused were also ordered to pay compensation of Rs. 800,000 each to the owner of the land, while a fine of Rs. 180,000 was also imposed on each. |
16,800 Aswesuma beneficiaries do not have bank accounts – Welfare Benefits BoardDinamina, Aruna The Welfare Benefits Board states that 16,800 people among those eligible to receive the Aswesuma social welfare benefit do not own bank accounts. The Welfare Benefits Board adds that although these beneficiaries are entitled to the Aswesuma social welfare benefit, they have also faced difficulties, as it is impossible to grant it. This was revealed during an event held yesterday (18th) at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, to brief the media on the Aswesuma and other welfare programmes implemented by the Welfare Benefits Board. |
A controversial revelation from Sarath Fonseka
Dinamina
Former MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka stated yesterday (18th) while releasing a video to the media of an alleged secret discussion held with defence chiefs during the war, that the Rajapaksas had instructed to provide space for terrorist leaders to surrender during the final days of the conflict.
However, Fonseka added that he had given orders to the military to completely wipe out the LTTE.
Showing the video footage, Fonseka further explained that the public needs to see and understand this video, which a journalist had kept hidden until now.
Fonseka added that the footage reached him through an indirect route, prompting him to release it to inform the public.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Ranil Wickremesinghe’s trip to England: Maithree Wickremesinghe to appear before the FCID tomorrow | Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake granted bail
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, has been summoned to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) tomorrow (20th).
The announcement was made when the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, relating to the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in state funds for a tour in the United Kingdom, was taken up in court.
Additionally, former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, who was under remand custody, was granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara ordered Ekanayake be released on two surety bails amounting to Rs. 20 million each.
The bail request was made by President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa on behalf of Ekanayake.
[Former] deputy secretary-general of parliament files petition before the Appeals Court against his suspension
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Thamilan
Former Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne yesterday (18th) filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, seeking to nullify the decision made to interdict him from duty.
The Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne, the Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake, and 14 others have been named as respondents in the petition.
Kularatne claims that, while serving as the deputy secretary-general of parliament, he was suspended from duty, with effect from January 23, 2026.
Kularatne further stated that he has strongly denied all allegations included in the charge sheet.
The petitioner has thus requested the Court of Appeal to issue a writ petition to nullify both the letter of suspension issued against him and the charge sheet.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga visits former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake in prison –Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakkural
2. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake meets Ambassador of the US to India Sergio Gor, in India – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. “The tri-forces must be trained not only for the Railway but also for hospitals in order to face any emergency situations” — Minister Bimal Rathnayake states in Parliament – Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakaran
4. “No political goals: the only goal of the conference on Friday is to protect the nation, race and religion” — Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera | “We will not take a step back!” – Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera makes a public announcement, pointing to the Maha Sangha Convention – Divaina, Aruna, Thamilan
5. “[Sri Lanka] has reached a good place in a short time” – Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva – Lankadeepa, Virakesari
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