DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Death toll increases to 366; 367 people are missing; Rescue work continues; 1,151,776 people stranded; Flood warning extended for 48 hours; Highest number of deaths recorded in Kandy; 218,526 people in 1,564 temporary shelters | “We will continue to stand by Sri Lanka during its rehabilitation efforts” – Indian Prime Minister Modi informs President Anura by phone Thinakaran: “We will save the country with the unwavering trust of the loving people” – President | “Opposition parties attempt to politicise natural disasters” – Bimal Rathnayake | Private sector cooperation is essential to rehabilitate infrastructure facilities – President |
Thinakkural: “More than 15,000 homes have been destroyed” – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says | Fury of nature; Death toll nearing 400! Missing number is also nearing 400 | Will there be another cyclone? – Prof. Pratheeparajah explains Thamilan: Disaster causes great suffering; death toll feared to exceed 500 |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Search missions in inaccessible areas halted; relief groups fear many bodies remain undiscovered | Death toll climbs to 390; 352 people missing | Rs. 31 billion needed for recovery — Foreign Ministry calls for international assistance Divaina: Helicopter crash in Wennappuwa; Nirmal killed while providing relief in his hometown; helicopter crashed during emergency landing; inquiry launched into possible mechanical failure or other causes | Death toll rises; Rivers and reservoirs continue to overflow despite reduced rainfall; “Soil in landslide zones is unstable, do not go to watch,” warns Irrigation Department DG, Highest number of deaths reported in Kandy, 370 people missing, 15 bridges destroyed Mawbima: Leak in Kelani River protection bund – Don’t be misled by circulating social media reports
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Dinamina: Relief teams work continuously in the disaster-affected areas, with the Police, Army, Navy, and Civil Defence Forces operating together. Many university students and private companies have also joined the effort, the “Red Star” (JVP Relief Service Brigade) is contributing as well | “Rebuilding Sri Lanka”: a strong reconstruction fund to rebuild the country; a managing committee appointed Aruna: 1.5 million chickens taken by Ditwah | “Knowing yet neglecting to take action on the storm is a crime” – Opposition to take legal action Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
“The government that killed people because it was unprepared” – Shanakiyan alleges
Thinakaran, Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural
Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural: ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam claimed that the deaths caused by adverse weather in the Central Province are murders committed by the government due to its lack of preparedness.
He made this statement while announcing the party’s decision to stage a walkout in parliament on Monday, protesting the government’s refusal to allocate sufficient time to discuss the disaster situation.
Rasamanickam alleged that the government is afraid that the truth regarding the crisis will be revealed if the opposition is granted time to speak.
He further noted that despite the opposition’s willingness to support the passing of the Budget without debate in exchange for time to discuss the current disaster, the government did not agree to the request.
Thinakaran: ITAK MPs announced that they were joining the opposition in walking out of parliament to protest the decision taken at the party leaders’ meeting.
They highlighted that hundreds of thousands of people, including those in the North and East, have been affected by the natural disaster.
“More than 15,000 homes have been destroyed” – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) saysThinakkural, Virakesari The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released initial assessments detailing the widespread impact of Cyclone Ditwah, revealing that nearly 1 million people (998,918) across all 25 districts have been affected. The disaster has caused immense structural damage, with over 15,000 homes destroyed, at least 10 bridges damaged, and more than 200 roads impassable. Furthermore, essential national infrastructure, including sections of the rail network and the power grid, has been significantly affected. In the wake of this destruction, over 180,000 people from more than 51,000 families have sought refuge in 1,094 government-run safety centres as search and rescue operations continue. |
“We will continue to stand by Sri Lanka during its rehabilitation efforts” – Indian Prime Minister Modi informs President Anura by phone
Virakesari Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that India will continue to provide all necessary assistance for rehabilitation and the restoration of livelihoods in the affected areas. During a telephone conversation yesterday (1st), Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of life and widespread devastation caused by the cyclone. President Dissanayake thanked the Indian government for the swift deployment of rescue teams and relief materials during this critical time. Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi pledged continued support under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, emphasising India’s commitment as a first responder to help restore public services in the coming days. |
“Ready to help with Sri Lanka’s recovery and resurgence” – IMF Executive Director assures | Britain provides financial help
Thinakaran, Virakesari
Thinakaran: The British government pledged USD 890,000 in emergency humanitarian aid to assist Sri Lanka’s recovery from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
This funding will be distributed in collaboration with the Red Cross, the UN, and local organisations to provide emergency supplies and life-saving care.
Virakesari: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva expressed concern over the severe floods and landslides, stating on X that the fund stands ready to provide necessary support for Sri Lanka’s recovery and resilience.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
Helicopter crash; investigation report ordered
Divaina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa
A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Bell 212 helicopter on a mission to deliver dry rations to flood-affected communities in Lunuwila made an emergency landing near Lunuwila Bridge on Sunday, resulting in the death of Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, who was piloting the aircraft.
Five personnel were rescued with the help of local residents and taken to Marawila Hospital, where four remain under treatment.
An investigation has been launched to determine whether mechanical failure or other factors caused the incident.
“Rs. 10,000 advance payments given to each affected household” – MunasingheDinamina, Lankadeepa The government will provide Rs. 10,000 as an initial grant to each household affected by the floods to restore sanitation and make homes safe for habitation, Assistant Secretary of the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) Jayatissa Munasinghe said yesterday (1st). Munasinghe emphasised that the compensation will be given to all affected individuals, regardless of property ownership. He also urged the public to remain vigilant against epidemic and vector-borne diseases as floodwaters recede, adding that the health sector is taking steps to prevent potential outbreaks. |
“256 main roads and 15 bridges broken” – RDAMawbima, Divaina The Director General of the Road Development Authority (RDA) stated that adverse weather conditions have caused damage to 256 A- and B-grade roads and 15 RDA-managed bridges across the country, bringing travel to a complete halt. |
Chamal gives statement to CIABOC
Lankadeepa
Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa gave a three-hour statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (1st) in connection with an ongoing investigation.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Dawn
[Cyclone Ditwah] death toll rises
Mawbima, Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Despite reduced rainfall, rivers and reservoirs across the country continue to overflow.
According to the Disaster Management Centre, as of 6:00 p.m. yesterday (1st), 1,151,776 people and 316,366 families in 25 districts have been affected by the disaster.
Today’s newspaper reports estimate that nearly 400 people have died, with a similar number reported missing.
Kandy District has been reported as having the highest death toll.
Don’t attempt to gain political mileage! Minister Bimal emphasises in Parliament
Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Leader of the House Minister Bimal Rathnayake urged the opposition not to attempt to gain political mileage from the natural disaster, following their walkout from parliament yesterday (1st).
The opposition, including the SJB, TNPF, and the New Democratic Front (NDF), walked out after the government rejected their request for a full-day debate on the crisis caused by the adverse weather, limiting the session to 12:30 p.m.
Virakesari quotes him saying that if the opposition is willing, they can meet the president again.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “Legal action to be taken against those who spread fake news” – Police media spokesperson – Dinamina, Mawbima, Aruna, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran
2. Regional countries extend aid: India sends medical teams and relief ship, Japan dispatches doctors, Nepal contributes Rs. 60 lakh, China donates USD 1 million – Dinamina, Divaina, Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakkural
3. “Rebuilding Sri Lanka”: a strong reconstruction fund to rebuild the country; a managing committee appointed – Dinamina, Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakaran
4. “Rebuilding Sri Lanka”: a strong reconstruction fund to rebuild the country; a managing committee appointed – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Thinakkural
5. Ranil calls a party leaders’ meeting to discuss next steps – Divaina, Aruna, Thinakkural
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