DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Political solution process will commence in January” – President Anura assures at the meeting with the ITAK members | “Sajith must apologise to Tamil people” – MP Shritharan | “Anura is the first ruler to have arrested a Buddha statue” – Udaya Gammanpila criticises Thinakaran: “A new political solution is essential for the problems faced by the people of the North and East” – President states at the meeting with the members of the ITAK | Trincomalee Buddha statue issue; Court ordered a peaceful resolution yesterday |
Thinakkural: “Name or label is not important to the Tamil people; we need a solution with federal features; the powers granted should not be retractable” – ITAK insists in the meeting with the president; president announces that the work will commence in January | “Federalism is needed for Eelam Tamils; this is the time for India to intervene” – Thirumavalavan urges | Nizam Kariapper tore up the report submitted by the minister in parliament regarding the Provincial Council election Thamilan: Solution for Tamils; talks in January (2026); president assures the ITAK; important matters discussed | Minister Abeyratne announces that a special select committee will be appointed to examine the Provincial Council election proportional representation system | “Trincomalee Police created the controversy over the Buddha statue installation; We will take legal action” – Kalyana Wansha (Thissa) Thera | Archaeology Act Amendment: 14-member committee appointed |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The trip to a university in England: A case to be filed against Ranil at the (sic) High Court; indictments to be served within a month – The AG informs the court and the CID Divaina: “Resolve the problem in Trincomalee peacefully” – The Court of Appeal bench informs both parties; the petition by the Chief Incumbent of the Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya to be considered on December 16 | The couple killed in Unakuruwa were innocent; suspicion regarding the deaths turns towards Karandeniye Sudda | “A case will be filed against Ranil” – The AG informs the magistrate Mawbima: A cluster of murders set to occur at the same location in Midigama narrowly prevented | “Inform the steps the government has taken thus far to prevent the human-elephant conflict” – The Supreme Court orders officials, including the wildlife minister and the IGP
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Dinamina: “Rs. 330 billion allocated to increase the salaries of government employees. 1,938 grama niladhari vacancies to be filled” – Minister of Public Administration Prof. Chandana Abeyratne Aruna: “A case to be filed in a higher court against Ranil once investigations are completed within a month” – The AG informs the court Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Jaffna Monitor
“Trincomalee Buddha statue issue; Sajith must apologise to Tamils for his statement” – MP Shritharan urges
Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan
ITAK MP S. Shritharan asserted in Parliament that Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa must withdraw his statement regarding the Trincomalee Buddha statue controversy and publicly apologise to the Tamil people.
Speaking in parliament, Shritharan stated that the Tamil people voted for Premadasa in the presidential election, believing all their problems would be solved, and accused him of betraying those same people.
He noted that the statue’s enshrinement has caused anger among the Tamil people.
He alleged that the controversy is a result of continuous Sinhala settlements and that the current incident has manifested as a racial phantom.
Shritharan associated the situation with the politics of former President J.R. Jayewardene, who used Buddhist monks to act against the Tamil people, suggesting that the current government may be operating similarly.
“Everyone’s advice is needed for the Provincial Election system; there is no plan to postpone it” – Minister Bimal
Thinakkural, Thamilan, Virakesari Minister and Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake stated in Parliament that when creating a new electoral system to conduct the Provincial Council election, advice should be sought from all parties. He emphasised that this process would not be a way to postpone the election. The Minister, responding to a question raised by Chief Opposition Whip MP Gayantha Karunathilleka, recalled that the previous ‘Good Governance’ government had introduced a mixed electoral system (50% based on ward basis and 50% on the list basis), which replaced the old system. However, he pointed out that the main current problem in holding an election under the new system is the delimitation process, which lacks technical aspects, and this issue needs to be resolved. He concluded that consulting with all parties would be a democratic step. |
“Let’s all collectively review the necessity of the Provincial Council system” – MP Faiszer Musthapha
Thinakkural, Thinakaran MP Faiszer Musthapha stated in Parliament that it is necessary for everyone to collectively consider and review the need for the Provincial Council system. He asked what negative impact had occurred since the Provincial Council elections had not been held for 11 years. He questioned whether the development in those provinces had been lacking, and said this necessitated a review of the Provincial Council elections. Musthapha noted that 11 years is the period for two elections, and although he stated he is not calling for a delay, he urged that everyone should jointly examine if the system is successful. He expressed that he is often scapegoated for the failure to hold the election, which he called an injustice, noting that no President—from Maithripala Sirisena (during whose tenure the new system was introduced) to Ranil Wickremesinghe and Gotabaya Rajapaksa—held the polls. |
“Federalism is needed for Eelam Tamils; This is the time for India to intervene” – Thirumavalavan urges
Thinakkural
Indian parliamentarian Thol. Thirumavalavan sharply condemned the Sri Lankan government for allowing the erection of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee, warning that “the episode reveals the NPP administration to be yet another Sinhala supremacist government.”
He argued that the incident “demonstrates the JVP-led government’s alignment with the long-standing Sinhala Buddhist chauvinist project, actively facilitating a systematic cultural invasion and expansionism in the Tamil homeland.”
Noting the NPP’s plan to draft a new Constitution, Thirumavalavan cautioned that this process will “fail to address the structural inequalities faced by Eelam Tamils unless the Government of India intervenes.”
He urgently called upon India to play a meaningful role in securing a new constitutional arrangement that includes a genuinely federal model protecting the rights and security of the Tamil people.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
A cluster of murders set to occur at the same location in Midigama narrowly prevented
Divaina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima
The Western Province North Crimes Division arrested a former army soldier for allegedly plotting to assassinate a hotel owner and his family members in the Midigama area.
The 35-year-old suspect, a resident of Tangalle, was apprehended with a T-56 assault rifle, a .38 revolver, ammunition, and a hand grenade.
Police investigations revealed that the contract was orchestrated by Dubai-based organised crime figure Army Chooty due to a dispute regarding extortion or business rivalry involving incarcerated underworld leader Nadun Chinthaka, alias Harak Kata.
Police stated that further investigations are underway to apprehend accomplices who fled the scene.
The secrets of the underworld shot fired in a shop in Unakuruwa | The motorcycle that came for the murder of the couple in Unakuruwa, found
Aruna, Divaina, Mawbima Investigations have been launched into the killing of a couple, who were shot dead inside their grocery store in Unakuruwa, Tangalle, on November 18. The victims have been identified as the uncle and aunt of the Dubai-based organised crime figure known as Unakuruwe Shantha. Investigations suggest the double murder was an act of revenge orchestrated by rival underworld leader Karandeniye Sudda, allegedly in retaliation for a previous attack on his brother-in-law. Police subsequently discovered the motorcycle used by the suspects abandoned in the Seenimodara area. Four special police teams have been deployed to investigate the incident, which is believed to be linked to an ongoing power struggle between criminal gangs |
“Will hold the rally in Nugegoda on the 21st, irrespective of the obstacles that may arise” – The party leaders of the joint opposition
Lankadeepa Leaders of the joint opposition announced that the mass rally organised by several opposition parties under the theme, ‘The great public outcry against the NPP government’s foolish rule’ will be held for certain in Nugegoda on November 21. Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo yesterday (19th), party representatives stated that the protest focuses on three main demands: fulfilling promises made by the government, ending corruption within the government and ending the terror perpetrated by the government. Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila warned that the government might attempt to sabotage the event using false propaganda or AI technology, but affirmed the rally would proceed despite any obstacles. Additionally, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam claimed this would be the largest anti-government rally in history. UNP Deputy Secretary General of Political Mobilisation Harin Fernando criticised the current administration for its lack of direction and defended the steps taken by former presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa to work together and unite other opposition groups. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
“A new political solution is essential for the problems faced by the people of the North and East” – President states at the meeting with the members of the ITAK
Dinamina, Divaina, Mawbima, Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
A meeting was held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and a delegation of Members of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), yesterday (19th) at the Presidential Secretariat, following a request made by the party.
Discussions focused on the Provincial Council elections and the need for a new constitution.
The President emphasised that the Government believes the longstanding issues faced by the people of the Northern and Eastern provinces can no longer be resolved through outdated political solutions.
Therefore, it is essential to move towards a new political solution with the cooperation of all stakeholders in this regard.
The ITAK raised longstanding regional issues such as fisheries disputes, land concerns, and the need for improved infrastructure and development in the North and East.
Tamil press report: General Secretary of the ITAK, M.A. Sumanthiran, stated that they emphasised that the President must quickly fulfil his election promise regarding the political solution, noting that one year had passed without progress.
The President agreed to start related actions in January (2026).
He added that they provided the President with a copy of the final draft of the solution from the Steering Committee, which contains 16 principles on power devolution, all but two of which had been agreed upon by everyone.
The representatives pressed for a solution based on a federal structure, insisting that powers devolved should not be taken back, to which the President agreed, Sumanthiran noted.
“Resolve the problem of the Trincomalee temple peacefully” – The Court of Appeal proposes
Aruna, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Thinakaran, Thamilan, Virakesari
The Court of Appeal has directed the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management to reinspect the premises of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee regarding an order to demolish part of the temple.
This directive follows a writ petition filed by Chief Incumbent Ven. Thrikunamalaye Kalyana Wansha Thissa Thera challenging the department’s decision to remove alleged unauthorised structures on the temple premises.
Appearing on behalf of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe argued that while an approved plan exists, the new constructions exceed its limits and are illegal under the Coast Conservation Act.
Justices Dhammika Ganepola and Adithya Patabendige emphasised the need for a peaceful resolution to avoid potential unrest and scheduled the next hearing for December 16, where the progress of the inspection will also be informed to the court.
“A case to be filed [against Ranil] in a higher court after investigations are concluded within a month” – The AG informs the court
Aruna, Dinamina, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Virakesari
Appearing on behalf of the attorney general, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (19th) that investigations into former President Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding the alleged misuse of state funds will be concluded within a month.
The ASG further explained that the CID has completed nearly 90% of the inquiry into the expenditure of over Rs. 16.6 million for an alleged private visit to the UK by the former president to attend his spouse’s graduation.
Consequently, the prosecution intends to file indictments in a higher court.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The parliament flares up over Namal [Rajapaksa]’s degree certificate – Aruna, Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
2. “I will attend the rally [on November 21]” – Mahinda Rajapaksa – Aruna, Lankadeepa, Thinakkural
3. “Leave the constructions of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya, Trincomalee as they are” – The magistrate orders | “Don’t alter the temporary constructions of the temple” – An order from the court – Aruna, Dinamina, Virakesari
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