8 October 2025 | Vol. 11, #179

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “The resolution establishes confidence in justice” – Human Rights Watch | Opposition submits a petition to the Speaker requesting the appointment of a select committee to investigate the release of 323 containers

Thinakaran: “The government has proper plans to attract both local and foreign investors and achieve development goals” – President’s clarification during the meeting with IMF representatives | Government rejects the UN General Assembly resolution [sic]

Thinakkural: “Since the country needs to be developed, we are in a position to exceed the targets set by the IMF; the government has formulated a proper plan” – President Anura | “The Commission to Investigate Bribery and Corruption is biased; why isn’t it investigating those in power?” – strong accusation by MP Shanakiyan | “The ITAK insists on implementing the 13th Amendment within a unitary state” – criticises Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam | “Why are Sajith’s [team members] panicking over the Thajudeen murder case? – Mahinda Jayasinghe 

Thamilan: “The planned genocide has affected the South as well – one’s own deeds burn oneself” – MP Sathiyalingam | “Threats cannot silence me” – Gammanpila (expresses) fury 

Lankadeepa: One-fourth of Sri Lankan families are now living in poverty: another 10% at high risk – World Bank reveals; economic progress praised; 80% of state funds allocated for salaries, welfare and loan interests | “MP position sold for Rs. 80 million: the CIABOC to conduct investigations” – Sunil Watagala  

Divaina: Unbearable poverty: poverty ratio has risen to 24.9% in 2024; another 10% are very close to the poverty line – World Bank states | Five suspects connected to the Hungama dual murder caught within six hours: ‘Bindu’ who ran the operation had wanted to become an “underworld thug”; three murder allegations against ‘Bindu’; five murder allegations against ‘Bopasindu’ that was slain | Permission to proceed with hearing denied: Julampitiya Amare’s appeal dismissed, death sentence confirmed

Mawbima: This newspaper was unavailable at the time of publishing FrontPage

Dinamina: IMF supports government’s plan to revive economy: “the government has strategies to develop the bankrupt country” – President tells IMF delegation | “If former presidents request security, we are prepared to provide it” – Ananda Wijepala | Postal Department to the COPA to discuss overtime allowance issues

Aruna: Seven students from Rathmalgahaela school in Dambulla hospitalised after tasting red substance: monkeys have infiltrated and messed up the lab

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only 

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

“The planned genocide has affected the South as well – one’s own deeds burn oneself,” MP Sathiyalingam states 

Thamilan 

Addressing parliament yesterday (7th), Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) MP P. Sathiyalingam claimed that the current drug crisis targeting students in the South is the direct consequence of a deliberate post-war plan to destroy the Tamil community by addicting students in the North and East.

He stated, what was done in the North after 2009 is now being reflected in the South, describing it as a case of what goes around, comes around.

Sathiyalingam alleged that wealthy individuals and some politicians are behind the drug trade, making its eradication a significant challenge for the government.

He also cited a caricature in the Indian magazine Ananda Vikatan that depicted Sri Lanka as a pearl surrounded by drugs and skulls, reflecting the unearthing of mass graves in the North and large drug caches in the South.

“The resolution establishes confidence in justice” – states Human Rights Watch

Virakesari

Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that the new resolution passed at the UNHRC, extending the evidence-gathering project on Sri Lanka for two more years, has instilled a glimmer of hope for justice among victims.

HRW noted that although President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government appears more lenient than previous ones, it has also rejected the UN’s accountability mechanism.

The organisation expressed concern over the very limited progress in the government’s promises for post-war reconciliation and investigations into major human rights violations.

HRW urged the government to strengthen its domestic truth-seeking mechanism through strong confidence-building measures and ensure a successful investigation into the Chemmani mass grave.

“The Commission to Investigate Bribery and Corruption is biased; why isn’t it investigating those in power?” – strong accusation by MP Shanakiyan 

Thinakkural

Raising a point of order in Parliament yesterday (7th), ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam accused the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) of inaction.

He claimed that despite complaints being filed against government ministers and MPs, no investigations have been conducted, calling the commission’s independence into question.

Shanakiyan highlighted that a complaint against a member of the Constitutional Council, who approved the CIABOC Director-General’s appointment, has not been investigated.

He also cited a specific, uninvestigated complaint filed against the father of government MP Lakmali Hemachandra.

“Why has the international community not imposed sanctions on Sarath Fonseka?” – SLPP question regarding accusations against Mahinda

Thinakkural, Virakesari

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s spokesperson, Manoj Gamage, questioned why former Army Commander, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, has not faced international sanctions for war crimes.

At a media briefing yesterday (7th) at the SLPP office, he pointed out that other military officers like Wasantha Karannagoda and Shavendra Silva face global accusations and sanctions.

Gamage alleged that Fonseka was spared because he betrayed the army by claiming that surrendering LTTE cadres were shot under orders, a reference to the ‘white flag’ incident.

He asserted that this statement by Fonseka is the primary reason Sri Lanka continues to face international human rights allegations.

Gamage accused Fonseka of being a traitor to the leaders who gave him the opportunity to command the army.

Thinakkural quotes him saying that Fonseka is (allegedly) linked to the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge and trying to save himself by accusing Mahinda Rajapaksa.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

Sri Lanka Postal Service to the COPA to discuss issues with overtime benefits 

Dinamina

The attention of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has been drawn to urgently summon the Postal Department to discuss issues that have arisen regarding overtime allowances and other existing problems.

The attention of the Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), Kabir Hashim, has been drawn to the problems of the Postal Department, including the overtime allowance issues, and a report on this is scheduled to be requested from the Auditor General shortly.

Sri Lanka wins the award for the best Election Commission in the world

Aruna

The Election Commission (EC) of Sri Lanka has received the award for the world’s best Election Commission.

This award ceremony was held in Gaborone, Botswana, co-hosted by the Botswana Independent Electoral Commission and the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies.

The award was presented after studying the electoral processes and the work of Election Commissions in all countries across the world.

Attention was also paid to criteria such as the correct application of practices in the electoral field and the publishing of evidence-based research and policies.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS