DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Death toll increases to 366; 367 people are missing; Rescue work continues; 1,151,776 people stranded; Flood warning extended for 48 hours; Highest number of deaths recorded in Kandy; 218,526 people in 1,564 temporary shelters | “We will continue to stand by Sri Lanka during its rehabilitation efforts” – Indian Prime Minister Modi informs President Anura by phone Thinakaran: “We will save the country with the unwavering trust of the loving people” – President | “Opposition parties attempt to politicise natural disasters” – Bimal Rathnayake | Private sector cooperation is essential to rehabilitate infrastructure facilities – President |
Thinakkural: “More than 15,000 homes have been destroyed” – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says | Fury of nature; Death toll nearing 400! Missing number is also nearing 400 | Will there be another cyclone? – Prof. Pratheeparajah explains Thamilan: Disaster causes great suffering; death toll feared to exceed 500 |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Search missions in inaccessible areas halted; relief groups fear many bodies remain undiscovered | Death toll climbs to 390; 352 people missing | Rs. 31 billion needed for recovery — Foreign Ministry calls for international assistance Divaina: Helicopter crash in Wennappuwa; Nirmal killed while providing relief in his hometown; helicopter crashed during emergency landing; inquiry launched into possible mechanical failure or other causes | Death toll rises; Rivers and reservoirs continue to overflow despite reduced rainfall; “Soil in landslide zones is unstable, do not go to watch,” warns Irrigation Department DG, Highest number of deaths reported in Kandy, 370 people missing, 15 bridges destroyed Mawbima: Leak in Kelani River protection bund – Don’t be misled by circulating social media reports
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Dinamina: Relief teams work continuously in the disaster-affected areas, with the Police, Army, Navy, and Civil Defence Forces operating together. Many university students and private companies have also joined the effort, the “Red Star” (JVP Relief Service Brigade) is contributing as well | “Rebuilding Sri Lanka”: a strong reconstruction fund to rebuild the country; a managing committee appointed Aruna: 1.5 million chickens taken by Ditwah | “Knowing yet neglecting to take action on the storm is a crime” – Opposition to take legal action Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |