6 February 2026 | Vol. 12, #23

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “Even Parliament has no authority to touch Muthurajawela” – Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith states firmly |”We will take measures to protect Muthurajawela” – Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe assures | Tilvin’s team visits India

Thinakaran: “Immediately stop collecting funds from parents at the school level for Smartboards” – PM Harini instructs school administrations | Compensation for Cyclone Ditwah damages; President launches several development projects in Kandy today

Thinakkural: “Plan to close many schools in the country; Free education at risk from the government” – Opposition Leader Sajith says Prime Minister must provide a clear answer | “Hartal in Jaffna on Independence Day; The government acted as if it didn’t see it” – Namal | “Government’s attempt to permanently close the Puttalam-Mannar road; 100 kilometres less to travel from Jaffna to Colombo” – Rishad

Thamilan: Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act! MP Shanakiyan requests by submitting a private member’s motion | “Attack on fisherfolk; Is it a conspiracy by a government-backed gang?” – MP Namal questions | Death threat to MP Rohana; Intense debate in Parliament yesterday 

Lankadeepa: Still no compensation for half of those affected by Ditwah; 640 deaths: compensation paid only for 290; 8,111 who were affected are still on the compensation list; 6,600 in camps 

Divaina: “Lawyer-lady” arrested for the Sanjeewa murder, further placed in remand custody for 90 days; IP alleged to have aided the murder also remanded further

Mawbima: Investigations into how the lawyer from Kadawatha who allegedly provided [a copy of] the Penal Code to bring the firearm [into the court complex] to Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murderer, obtained money to purchase vehicles; further remanded for 90 days | Reverse the teachers’ exam gazette for graduates – A letter to the President from a group of graduates  

Dinamina: “Rs. 2,980.5 million to pay X-Press Pearl compensation: USD 56.90 million to pay compensation to the fishing community; forwarded to Divisional Secretaries” – Minister Nalinda Jayatissa

Aruna: Petition to the Supreme Court: Rent bill violates human rights: requests two-thirds majority and a referendum; allegations of prejudice against landowners

Anidda: “Pelawatte is connected to the governmentalisation” – Tilvin Silva states

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

“We did not wage war against the Tamils” – MP Namal Rajapaksa states

Thinakkural, Virakesari

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa asserted that the military campaign was directed against terrorism and not the Tamil people.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate yesterday (6th), he accused the government of inciting racism in the South to win over the Northern population and the diaspora.

Rajapaksa criticised the administration for allegedly disrespecting religious leaders and failing to investigate the controversy surrounding 323 containers.

He further questioned the government’s decision to downplay national security achievements during Independence Day while allowing the purchase of vehicles for parliamentarians.

The MP maintained that winning the support of the North by undermining the majority community would prove unsuccessful.

“Take action to control the high-handed behaviour of plantation managements; if the situation continues, we will take to the streets” – Tamil Progressive Alliance

Virakesari

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader MP Mano Ganesan and MP Palani Thigambaram warned the government to curb the arbitrary actions of plantation companies following the recent wage hike.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday (5th), Ganesan noted that while the TPA supports the Rs. 1,750 wage increase effective from the 10th, companies have begun imposing unfair conditions, such as mandating a 25 kg daily tea plucking target.

Thigambaram added that workers are facing increased harassment and unjust suspensions, specifically citing an instance where eight workers in Maskeliya were suspended for 45 days after questioning management.

The MPs urged the government to monitor these companies closely to ensure that the wage increase does not result in the further exploitation of plantation workers.

“No progress even under Anura’s administration; Delays in fulfilling human rights obligations” – Human Rights Watch expresses concern

Virakesari

Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated in its 2025 global report that while President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government has made efforts toward economic stability and addressing public service inequalities, progress on human rights obligations remains limited.

The report cited Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) findings on arbitrary detentions, torture, and custodial deaths, noting that structural issues facilitating past abuses persist.

Victims’ families and activists continue to face security force intimidation, particularly in the North and East, where state officials are frequently linked to violations of land and religious rights.

HRW further highlighted that successive governments have failed to ensure accountability for war crimes committed during the 1983–2009 conflict.

The report concluded that the current administration has done very little to build trust among Tamil and Muslim communities despite promises of national reconciliation.

A team headed by Tilvin Silva leaves for India

Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan

A delegation led by General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Tilvin Silva departed for New Delhi yesterday (5th) following an invitation from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

During the visit, the group is scheduled to travel to Gujarat and Kerala to hold discussions with the respective state chief ministers.

The delegation will also inspect Indian agricultural, industrial, and technological development centres.

Members of the visiting group include MP Krishnan Selvaraj, MP K. Ilankumaran, and Inter Company Employees’ Union General Secretary Janaka Adikari.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

“Cost of a unit of electricity reduced from Rs. 37 to Rs. 29; electricity bill will be reduced in three years as promised” – Minister Kumara Jayakody

Mawbima, Dinamina

Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated in parliament yesterday (5th) that the government has succeeded in reducing the average cost of generating a unit of electricity from Rs. 37 to Rs. 29.

The minister also stated that by rapidly adopting renewable energy technologies to reduce electricity generation costs, it is expected to reduce consumer electricity bills in the long term.

Furthermore, Minister Jayakody added that steps will be taken to reduce electricity bills within three years as promised by the government.

Minister Kumara Jayakody made the statement while responding to a question raised by NDF MP Ravi Karunanayake.

“Pelawatte is connected to the [country’s] governmentalisation” – Tilvin Silva states 

Anidda

General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva stated that the country is run by the government, and that the government is run by a political movement and that the members of that political movement meet at Pelawatte (referring to the JVP HQ at Pelawatte).

Subsequently, he added that, in such a situation, it might be assumed that Pelawatte is indirectly connected to the governmentalisation of the country.

Silva made the statement during a programme televised on the Independent Television Network (ITN) Ltd. on February 4.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS