26 November 2025 | Vol. 11, #213

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: Bail for five people, including the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson; Court verdict in the case of removing the archaeological signboard in Valaichchenai | Protest against Tilvin in London: Tamil diaspora’s displeasure? Wimal Weerawansa raises doubt | Dhammika Perera as Chairperson of SriLankan Airlines; Government denies

Thinakaran: “Erratic weather; Emergency arrangements to face disasters” – Nalinda Jayatissa; 10 people killed so far due to floods and landslides | A Parliament staff member was not subjected to sexual abuse; Confirmed in the investigation report | “More funding for education this time than in the past; Challenges will be overcome, and goals will be fulfilled” – PM

Thinakkural: Archaeological signboards for two temples in Batticaloa; Officials withdrew due to strong public opposition; Their efforts also failed because the public strongly clashed with the police | “It was you who divided on ethnic and religious lines” – MP Mano Ganesan states

Thamilan: “Control the Tiger cub Shanakiyan; the LTTE movement cannot be commemorated!” – Gnanasara Thera’s public statement | Bail for five people, including the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson; Court verdict in the case of removing the archaeological signboard

Lankadeepa: Several districts at flood risk: rain exceeding 150 mm; red warnings for landslides issued to 12 districts – Irrigation Department warns

Divaina: Removing archaeological boards: Valaichchenai chairperson and group that surrendered to court granted bail

Mawbima: Favouring one institution when selecting training institutes: Former chair of SLBFE remanded | Removing archaeological nameboards in Batticaloa: Rs. 500,000 bail granted for the Pradeshiya Sabha chairperson and deputy chairperson who surrendered

Dinamina: Export income for the first 10 months exceeds USD 14.4 billion

Aruna: No matter what is said verbally, the court will only consider written facts: judge tells CIABOC while remanding the former chair of SLBFE

Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

“Control the Tiger cub Shanakiyan; The LTTE movement cannot be commemorated!” – Gnanasara Thera’s public statement

Virakesari, Thamilan

The General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera questioned the right of people to commemorate the LTTE and its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, whom he described as barbaric murderers who threatened the world.

The Thera raised concerns over emotionally charged incidents, citing the removal of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee and linking it to a social media post by Ayoob Asmin, a Canadian resident and former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Northern Provincial Council member.

The Thera asserted that “Asmin’s activities and his advocacy for making the country a Muslim kingdom suggest links to global terrorism and separatism.”

Furthermore, the Thera criticised ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam for advocating for a separate Tamil nation at a Canadian Tamil Congress event and demanded his immediate arrest for challenging the country’s unity.

Finally, he called on the government to focus on abolishing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the Provincial Council system.

Soldiers attacked with guns and chased away people while they were carrying out work at the Maveerar Thuyilum Illam

Thinakkural

An incident occurred yesterday (25th) in Mullaitivu where military personnel assaulted and drove away civilians engaged in cleaning work at a Maveerar Thuyilum Illam (Great Heroes’ resting place/cemetery) in the Manalaru area of Mullaitivu.

According to the victims, the army and the Alampil intelligence unit surrounded the cemetery and used guns to beat and chase away the people who were cleaning.

A victim commented that while the President had stated that people could commemorate their deceased relatives without hindrance, the actions of the army and intelligence officers on the ground are contradictory.

“It was you who divided on ethnic and religious lines” – MP Mano Ganesan states

Thinakkural

Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) and SJB MP Mano Ganesan criticised the government’s approach to national unity in education, stating that it is too late to ask adults to act as “Sri Lankans” after creating ethnically and religiously segregated schools during their childhood.

He declared that “the time has passed; the train has departed.”

Speaking in parliament, he argued that the new education reform plan does not focus on national unity.

He highlighted that in areas like Colombo, where all communities live together, schools are still divided by ethnicity and religion, and this mindset must change.

The MP also raised concerns that Tamil medium classes are being reduced in national schools in Colombo, such as Royal College, D.S. Senanayake College, and Isipathana College.

“More funding for education this time than in the past; Challenges will be overcome, and goals will be fulfilled” – PM

Thinakaran

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament that the government has allocated Rs. 7.04 billion for the education sector and Rs. 3,000 million for new education reforms in the Budget, stating that this is a significant allocation compared to previous years.

The Prime Minister announced that the new education reforms are scheduled to be implemented starting in 2026.

She emphasised the need to prepare the education sector to effectively counter the technological challenges that will inevitably arise during the shift towards a better education system.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

Several districts at flood risk: rain exceeding 150 mm; red warnings for landslides issued to 12 districts – Irrigation Department warns

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna

The Department of Irrigation has issued a pre-flood preparedness warning, alerting that there is a risk of a flood situation arising in the event of sudden rainfall, as the water levels of the main rivers remain at a very high level.

Issuing a statement, the Department mentioned that due to the low-pressure area currently developing near the South Andaman Sea region, rainfall exceeding 200 mm may occur in several provinces across the island.

Landslide warnings have also been issued to 12 districts.

Papers report that heavy rains will continue for six provinces until November 30.

Rs. 5 billion from Ports (Authority) profit to Treasury

Dinamina

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has decided to remit Rs. 5 billion to the Treasury from the profits earned during the first 10 months of this year.

The total amount given by the SLPA to the Consolidated Fund over several decades, up to the year 2024, is only about Rs. 10.3 billion.

Following the assumption of power by the new government, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority achieved a net profit after tax of Rs. 39 billion as of October 31.

This represents an increase of approximately Rs. 12 billion in net profit after tax compared to the previous year, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority expects to contribute Rs. 5 billion from this to the Consolidated Fund.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS