DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Debate in court over Ranil’s medical report; request to cancel bail rejected by the court | The lawyer who helped Sewwandi arrested | I am ready to go to prison, says Udaya Gammanpila Thinakaran: A national program titled ‘Eradicating the drug menace from the country’ will be held under the leadership of President Anura in Colombo today | GovPay fine system to be implemented nationwide by December |
Thinakkural: “Actions of the IGP have become politicised; provide security to opposition MPs” – urgent request by Opposition Leader Sajith | “Summon IGP to Parliament to discuss MPs’ security” – Opposition [Gayantha Karunathilaka] Thamilan: Objection to the arbitrary transfer procedure; doctors on strike! Nationwide trade union action from tomorrow | Case against Ranil postponed |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: A lawyer had created the fraudulent ID used by Sewwandi: law book [Penal Code] given to carry the gun; she has also provided a lawyer’s tie and vehicle emblems to the shooter; money was given by Padme? A detention order of 72 hours Divaina: Is the lawyer who helped murder Sanjeewa a friend of the underworld? She is the one who has provided a copy of the Penal Code to carry the gun, a fake ID, vehicle emblems and a lawyer’s tie to the shooter – Police investigations reveal | “The four of them drank from the bottle that came floating in the ocean; we did not drink from it as we did not know its contents” – Fisher tells about the bottle that brought death upon two fisherfolk in Norochcholai: two others admitted to the ICU in critical condition Mawbima: Kalutara police HQ on a mission to locate the police inspector related to the incident of a gun being released | Provide Ranil Wickremesinghe’s medical reports to the complainant
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Dinamina: “MP Hesha’s wife and former Minister Akila’s sister-in-law have defaulted on payments worth Rs. 12 million to the NLB: legal action to be taken” – Chairperson of the NLB Aruna: Lawyer who was arrested for abetting [Ganemulla] Sanjeewa’s murder has allegedly provided the suspect with a lawyer’s coat and a legal book [Penal Code] to hide the gun in – Police Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“An attempt is being made to arrest me before the rally” – Udaya Gammanpila
Thinakkural, Thamilan, Virakesari
Leader of the PHU Udaya Gammanpila claimed that the government is conspiring to arrest him and remand him for at least two weeks before the ‘People’s Voice’ rally scheduled for November 21 in Nugegoda.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday (29th), he stated that the CIABOC had taken steps to register a complaint against him through an activist of an NGO.
The complaint alleges that Gammanpila harmed the reputation of the Director General (DG) of the CIABOC through comments made to the main and social media, which is a highly punishable offence under Section 125 of the Bribery Act.
Gammanpila alleged that CIABOC took measures to prepare the complaint, including information that the person lodging it did not clearly understand, such as what is specified in Section 125.
He further claimed that he had previously exposed, with evidence based on Supreme Court affidavits, that the appointment of the CIABOC DG was fraudulent, resulting from the intervention of the President, Prime Minister, and Speaker, despite Madhawa Tennakoon receiving the highest marks.
Ready to hold discussions with Tamil parties regarding a federal system, the Swiss Ambassador informs Sumanthiran, quoting the government side
Virakesari The Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka, Siri Walt, informed ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran that the ruling NPP representatives who attended a recent workshop in Switzerland are ready to talk with Tamil political parties about introducing a federal system in Sri Lanka. The workshop, organised by the Swiss government in partnership with the Sri Lanka-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Association from September 14-21, was held to educate members of both ruling and opposition parties on Switzerland’s federal political system and national integrity. During a separate discussion as part of the seminar, NPP General Secretary MP Nihal Abeysinghe said that the new draft constitution, which was prepared from 2015-2019, would be reintroduced and that the review of amendments proposed by political parties was nearing completion. However, MP Sumanthiran pointed out that he had requested a date from the President to discuss a political solution but had not yet received a reply. He added that he is ready to speak with the NPP members who participated in the Swiss workshop regarding this matter. |
“Israel behind the Sinhalese settlements in the Northern and Eastern regions!” — claims a Sinhalese professor
Thinakkural
An international media outlet has reported on an academic study by a Sri Lankan professor regarding Israeli influence behind Sri Lanka’s Sinhala settlement policies in the latter part of the 20th century. Prof. Punsara Amarasinghe specifically noted this influence in the implementation of the Mahaweli Development Scheme. His book, titled The Shadows of Israel Behind Sri Lanka’s Settler Policy, examines this subject, highlighting parallels between Israeli settlement expansion and the Sinhala settlements in Sri Lanka’s North and East. Professor Amarasinghe’s research indicates how development, displacement, and militarisation were interconnected under the guise of nation-building. The study claims that Israeli agricultural and military models continue to influence Sri Lanka’s resettlement strategies, particularly in the Tamil homeland, involving the militarised demographic change of the area. |
“Actions of the IGP have become politicised; provide security to opposition MPs” – urgent request by Opposition Leader Sajith
Thinakkural Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa requested that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) focus on the security of MP Jagath Vithana and ensure protection for all Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs). In a special statement, he claimed that some of the current IGP’s actions appear to be heavily politicised, with some investigations being turned into political and media spectacles. Premadasa stated that the IGP’s announcement regarding MP Jagath Vithana violated the MP’s privileges as both a citizen and a Member of Parliament. |
Objection to the arbitrary transfer procedure; doctors on strike! Nationwide trade union action from tomorrowThamilan
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Central Working Committee unanimously decided to launch a nationwide trade union action from tomorrow (31st) without further notice if the arbitrary transfer process for health sector personnel, scheduled for implementation today (30th), is carried out. The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the GMOA Central Working Committee held yesterday (29th) to discuss various issues in the health sector. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: SOE.lk
“MP Hesha’s wife and former Minister Akila’s sister-in-law have defaulted on payments worth Rs. 12 million to the NLB: legal action to be taken” – Chairperson of the NLB
Divaina, Dinamina
Chairperson of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), M.D.C.A. Perera, stated that severe legal action will be taken against the wife of MP Hesha Withanage and the sister-in-law of former Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam regarding a fraud exceeding Rs. 12 million, committed by selling over 500,000 lottery tickets as District Representatives of the NLB.
The Chairperson further stated that several other individuals recommended by former ministers, including Duminda Dissanayake and Navin Dissanayake, have similarly defaulted on payments amounting to large sums of money.
“An opposition established without discussion will not be successful” – Dilith Jayaweera
Dinamina Leader of Sarvajana Balaya Party, MP Dilith Jayaweera, stated that no opposition, whether united or not, that attempts to simply gather and build without discussion will succeed. The MP made this statement while participating in a media briefing held yesterday (29th) at the Sarvajana Balaya party office. Further expressing his views, Jayaweera emphasised the need to question all parties regarding the solutions and programs they present, the actions behind those programs, and how those proposals would logically change the people’s lives, eliminate poverty, and lead to a developed nation. |
An economic growth of 3.1% in 2026 | One’s own economic reformation is necessary for a fully stable economy – IMF tells Sri Lanka
Divaina, Dinamina It has been forecast that Sri Lanka’s economy will grow by 3.1% in the coming year of 2026. Deputy Director of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Asia and Pacific Department Deputy Director Thomas Helbling, states that a strong recovery in economic growth has occurred in the background of the Sri Lankan government initiating a reform program through the IMF. Helbling further states that growth was 5% last year and 4.8% during the first half of this year. The IMF further stressed that a country needs its own economic reformation in order to establish a fully stable economy. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily News
Ranil Wickremesinghe’s foreign travel case postponed to January 28
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, yesterday (29th), postponed the hearing of the case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe under the Public Property Act, until January 28, 2026.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to expedite the investigation related to the former president’s case and to produce before the court any suspects connected to the matter, including Wickremesinghe’s secretary.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Neththikumara further ordered that investigations into the case filed against former President Wickremesinghe, on allegations of misusing Rs. 16.6 million in state funds by undertaking a private visit to the United Kingdom under the pretext of an official tour, be completed by January 28 next year.
Lawyer who gave Penal Code to Ishara [Sewwandi] detained for questioning
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thamilan
A lawyer was arrested for allegedly providing a copy of the Penal Code for Ishara Sewwandi to conceal the pistol used in the killing of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa.’
Papers also reported that the same lawyer had even created the fraudulent ID for Sewwandi to enter court.
Notorious gang leader ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ was fatally shot by a shooter disguised as a lawyer in the No. 05 Magistrate’s Court within the Aluthkade Courts Complex (Hulftsdorp) on February 19.
The lawyer, who is approximately 55 years old, was arrested at her residence located in Kadawatha.
She was arrested based on information revealed during the questioning of ‘Kehelbaddara Padme.’
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Warrant issued for Jagath Manuwarna’s arrest – Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. National program to eradicate the drug catastrophe, Ratama Ekata to be launched today – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran
3. “The four of them drank from the bottle that came floating in the ocean; we did not drink from it as we did not know its contents” – Fisher tells about the bottle that brought death upon two fisherfolk in Norochcholai: two others admitted to the ICU in critical condition – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari
4. Grenades and firearms buried by the LTTE sold to the underworld: three suspects who fled the country, caught – Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
5. Security for MPs: Opposition requests to bring the IGP to Parliament – Lankadeepa, Virakesari, Thinakkural
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