DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “No superpower has the right to violate the sovereignty of Venezuela” – The JVP issues a special statement expressing strong condemnation | The first term of schools starts today Thinakaran: “Inappropriate content in Grade 6 English textbook; narrow political motives of external parties! Complaint lodged with CID for investigation” – Prime Minister Harini | “The government will not compromise for any financial aid; Education reforms are the government’s policy!” – The government rejects and condemns reports targeting the Prime Minister |
Thinakkural: “The UN must take appropriate action against the US” – Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath | President Maduro of Venezuela to be assassinated? Trump’s grand plan!; Latin America about to burn | “We will not remove Prime Minister Harini over the education reform issue; do not give room to the wrong positions of small groups” – Minister Vijitha Thamilan: Maduro, the President of Venezuela, has been imprisoned in a US jail! | US intervention in Venezuela: JVP condemns; government remains silent! |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: “There was a major oversight in the Grade 6 English module” – PM; “We take collective responsibility” – Herath | US seizes Venezuelan oil assets; Maduro and wife taken to US; China condemns move Divaina: The mission launched by US Delta Force shakes the world: “We arrested President Maduro and his wife in 30 minutes; they were taken in in their pyjamas” – US Army, SC orders vice president to act as president, “If the others don’t take heed after what happened to Maduro they will face the same” – Trump after watching live feed of the capture, 40 fatalities from the US attack involving Venezuelans and US Army forces – reports Venezuelan media, China and Iran condemn mission and warn President Trump, “A bad precedent” – UN Secretary-General, US takes control of oil reserves Mawbima: Venezuelan president and his wife in New York detention camp; “The US cannot do this” – JVP | Committee report on English module oversight released, government admits wrongdoing
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Dinamina: Grade 6 module issue: Internal committee report released, “We will take legal action against those responsible for the wrongdoing” – Herath | “There is no connection between World Bank aid and education reforms” – PM| US prepares to exert control over Venezuela, American companies to control oil reserves |“Our only president is Maduro” – says vice president, some take to the streets in protest while some celebrate Aruna: Insider spy leads to Maduro’s capture after months of surveillance, Trump watches the unprecedented mission live, “This violates international law” – say Russia and China Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
“Kanniya Hot Springs issue: We will go to court if the agreement is violated” – Sumanthiran firmly states
Thinakkural, Thamilan, Virakesari
General Secretary of ITAK M.A. Sumanthiran stated that they will return to court if the activities at the Kanniya Hot Springs in Trincomalee violate the previously reached consensus.
Speaking to the media after inspecting the site yesterday (4th), he recalled that a court settlement had permitted the Department of Archaeology to preserve ancient Vihara remains without new construction, while allowing the reconstruction of the Pillaiyar temple.
However, following complaints that current activities exceed the agreed preservation work, Sumanthiran, who visited the site with Trincomalee District ITAK MP Kugathasan, warned that this violation will be brought to the notice of the courts.
“Douglas arrested only to please the diaspora Tamils” – Namal Rajapaksa expresses distress
Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Virakesari Speaking to the media after visiting former Minister Douglas Devananda at Mahara Prison yesterday (4th), SLPP National Organiser MP Namal Rajapaksa claimed the government is arresting those who acted against the LTTE to please the Tamil diaspora. He alleged that these acts of political revenge are an attempt to cover up the government’s political bankruptcy and its failure to fulfil promises made regarding recent natural disasters. Rajapaksa further accused the government of postponing the provincial council election due to fear of the outcome and asserted that even his own arrest would not stop their political journey. Thinakaran reports that Namal Rajapaksa visited Devananda at the Mahara Prison on Saturday (3rd). During the visit, he also met with Johan Fernando, who is currently in remand custody. |
The Buddha statue brought to be placed in Thaiyiddy recovered from an Army canteen!Thinakkural The Kankesanthurai Police recovered a Buddha statue, brought from Sigiriya to be installed at the Tissa Vihara in Thaiyiddy, from an army canteen in Kankesanthurai on Saturday (3rd). The attempt to install the statue for Poya day occurred despite the chief incumbent of the vihara assuring the media on December 30 that no new constructions would be undertaken. The police have taken the group led by a monk, who transported the statue, into custody for questioning. |
“Nainativu Chief Monk is a traitor in Jaffna” – Ellawala Medhananda Thera’s outrage
Thinakkural
Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera accused the Chief Incumbent of Nainativu Vihara and several other monks of betraying their race and religion for personal gain regarding the issue of the Tissa Vihara in Thaiyiddy.
Speaking to a Sinhala website, the Thera refuted statements claiming that Sinhala Buddhists and monks did not historically inhabit Jaffna, citing Pali texts that mention a figure named Haryakala Tissa finding over 1,000 monks in Pungudutivu.
He argued that the existence of such a large number of monks implies the presence of a supporting population, thereby proving that Sinhala Buddhists lived in the area.
He further challenged critics to provide evidence to support the claim that Sinhala Buddhists were not present in Jaffna.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“The PM must resign” – Namal Rajapaksa
Lankadeepa, Aruna
SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa has called for Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya to resign over the controversial Grade 6 English module.
While the head of the National Institute of Education has stepped down, Rajapaksa argued that curriculum decisions cannot be made by outsiders alone, and criticised the Ministry Secretary’s complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department as unnecessary.
He asserted that both the Minister and the Ministry Secretary were fully aware of the decisions regarding the module.
“Free education should change to meet present needs” – PremadasaDinamina Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for Sri Lanka’s free education system, introduced by C.W.W. Kannangara, to be reformed to meet modern needs. Speaking at a ceremony at Sri Abhayarajarama Viharaya in Karampetara, he stressed that rapid technological advances, including artificial intelligence, require corresponding changes in education. Premadasa warned that without reform, the country risks falling decades behind, limiting progress and development, while private and foreign education surpasses the country’s free education system. |
“We won’t unite to topple the government; alliances must be policy-driven” – Namal RajapaksaDinamina SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa has said his party does not intend to overthrow the government or target any individual, but aims to unite groups based on policies that benefit the country. Speaking to the media in Anuradhapura on the morning of the 3rd while receiving New Year blessings, he emphasised the need for political alliances founded on understanding and constructive policies, noting that divisions are not his style. Rajapaksa also criticised the JVP, claiming they rely on suppression, including of the media, to advance their agenda. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Committee report on the oversight in the Grade 6 English module released
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The Ministry of Education has released an internal committee report following an error in the new Grade 6 English module that mistakenly directed students to an inappropriate website.
At a media briefing held yesterday (4th), the Prime Minister acknowledged the oversight, while Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the government is taking collective responsibility and confirmed that legal action would be taken against those responsible.
US seizes Venezuelan oil assets; Maduro and wife taken to US
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Newspapers reported that a US Delta Force mission in Venezuela had triggered global shock, with the US military arresting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Venezuelan media reported around 40 fatalities during clashes between Venezuelan forces and the US Army, while the US moved to take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves.
China, Russia, and Iran denounced the operation, with Russia and China calling it a “violation of international law.”
The UN Secretary-General described the action as setting “a bad precedent.”
The JVP also condemned the move, stating that the US “had no right to act in this manner.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath has called for action against the United States for “violating UN General Assembly policies and basic charters.”
Speaking at a press conference yesterday (4th), he emphasised that protecting a country’s independence must follow international law and UN regulations, and urged the Security Council to expedite its emergency meeting on Venezuela scheduled for today (5th).
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “If Anura takes a strong stance on US behaviour, we will support him” – Jayaweera – Aruna, Thamilan
2. “Shritharan, who voted for the appointment of an army officer as the auditor general, should resign from the Constitutional Council” – ITAK – Mawbima, Thinakaran
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