26 September 2025 | Vol. 11, #172

 

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

 

Tamil Headlines

Virakesari: “My dream is to provide a prosperous life” – President Anura Kumara states at the UN General Assembly: calls on world leaders to walk together in solidarity | Pictorial: Relatives of the disappeared in the North and East launch a hunger strike protest at Chemmani demanding an international investigation Thinakaran: “Let us build a safer world for our future generations” – President Anura calls on world leaders at the UN Assembly to act with full commitment

Thinakkural: “The fight against corruption will continue in full force” – President Anura assures at the UN; urges the international community to put an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people | “Why did President Anura, who supported Palestine at the United Nations, stay silent about the Tamils?” – Siritunga Jayasuriya, leader of the United Socialist Party Thamilan: “The fight against corruption is dangerous; let us commit to creating a safe world!” – President Anura’s appeal to world leaders | Vehicle accident caused by snapped cable; seven monks dead | “Do not blame us and protect underworld gangs” – MP Namal criticises

Sinhala Headlines

Lankadeepa: Seven monks killed: three are foreigners: did the cable car fall because it was overloaded? It can only carry six at a time,13 have gone; it has hit tall trees and fallen to the ground; only 30 m were left for the end of the journey; five hospitalised; two monks jumped out of the cable car and saved their lives Divaina: The tragedy of the Na Uyana Monastery which killed seven monks: “the cable car that was plummeting hit trees and rocks and went tumbling down; the cable car can only carry seven or eight, but 13 of us rode it; two monks jumped out of the cable car when it was heading down speedily” – Monk who saved his life, explains Mawbima: “The cable car, of which the cable had broken, sped down the mountain” – A monk who saved his life states; six injured monks admitted to the Kurunegala Hospital; final rites of the foreign monks who passed away to be held in Sri Lanka

Dinamina: “My dream is to ensure that my people are rich and they have happiness; let us turn every inch of the world into a community of peace; the fight against corruption must be embedded within the culture of each country” – President Dissanayake addresses the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly Aruna: The dreadful accident at the Na Uyana Monastery: the cable car has slid black while getting closer to the mountain; three foreign monks among the seven monks who were killed Anidda: The Speaker has lied about the NCM: both the AG and Secretariat reports do not state that the NCM cannot be accepted

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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

 

Photo credits: Tamil Guardian

“Tamil histories and identities systematically ignored in the current curriculum” – Shritharan points out in parliament

Thinakkural, Thamilan, Thinakaran

ITAK MP S. Shritharan stated in parliament that Tamil history and identity are being systematically obscured in subjects such as history and art.

He further noted that Saivism is not adequately represented in religious studies and called for these issues to be addressed in the new education reforms.

While the new curriculum is purported to reduce students’ workload, Shritharan argued it increases the burden by 30%, from 265 to 365 learning hours.

He questioned the lack of Tamil-speaking officials in the reform committees at the National Institute of Education and noted that 20 departments in the Ministry of Education have no Tamil-speaking officers.

Shritharan urged the Minister of Education to consult with university experts and religious institutions before finalising the curriculum changes.

Relatives of the disappeared launch hunger strike at Chemmani, demanding international investigation Thinakkural, Virakesari The Association of Relatives of the Forcibly Disappeared in the North and East commenced a rotational hunger strike yesterday (25th) at the Chemmani protest grounds. The protest demands international justice for human rights violations and enforced disappearances that occurred during the civil war. Participants are rejecting domestic mechanisms and insisting on an independent international investigation into these matters, including the Chemmani mass grave. The strike, which includes relatives of the disappeared from the five districts of the North and social activists, is scheduled to continue until September 29.

“Jagath Wickramaratne is unfit for the position of Speaker” – MP Ajith P. Perera publicly accuses Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan SJB MP Ajith P. Perera announced that a no-confidence motion will soon be brought against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Perera accused the Speaker of being unfit for his position, lacking neutrality, and destroying the independence of parliament. The accusation stems from the Speaker’s recent rejection of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara. The MP claimed that in doing so, the Speaker violated Parliamentary Standing Order 76(1) and disregarded advice from the Attorney General and the Secretary-General of Parliament, who had both indicated that the motion could proceed.

“Do not blame us and protect underworld gangs” – MP Namal criticises

Thamilan

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa accused the government of covering up the release of 323 containers and blaming the opposition to protect drug traffickers and underworld groups.

Speaking in parliament yesterday (25th), he questioned why security forces failed to act on an international intelligence report about a narcotics shipment arriving from Tehran in two containers.

Rajapaksa compared this inaction to the intelligence failures that preceded the Easter Sunday attacks, alleging that the government is shielding the real culprits by making false accusations.

He urged the administration to stop its blame game and take responsible action against the drug trade.

 

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

 

Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror

There’s no legal obstacle for the NCM – Both AG and Parliamentary Secretariat reports reveal

Divaina, Anidda

Anidda reports that the statement made by Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne, stating that the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara was not taken up for debate based on the Attorney General’s report and Parliamentary Secretariat report, is revealed to be a lie.

Both reports in question were presented in parliament yesterday (25th) by the Speaker at the continuous request made by the Opposition.

Reportedly, the reports submitted by the Attorney General and the Parliamentary Secretariat regarding the NCM against Deputy Minister Jayasekara do not state that there is any legal obstacle for the NCM to be taken up for debate in parliament.

SC seeks AG’s advice on legal measures to be taken against X-Press Pearl company that is refusing to pay compensation Divaina, Mawbima The Supreme Court (SC) of Sri Lanka is seeking the Attorney General’s (AG) advice on legal measures to be taken against the X-Press Pearl company for refusing to pay the court-ordered USD 1 billion compensation for the MV X-Press Pearl disaster. The company failed to meet the initial USD 250 million payment deadline on September 23, 2025, prompting the government to consult the AG on how to proceed with enforcing the court’s ruling and addressing the company’s non-compliance.

‘Work-to-rule’ campaign of the CEB to end on Monday Dinamina General Secretary of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Free Trade Union, Prabath Priyantha, stated that the trade unions will be able to stop the ‘work-to-rule’ campaign by next Monday (29th). He made the statement while expressing his views to the media after a special discussion held yesterday (25th) with representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO). He stated further that the discussion that was held yesterday (25th) had been very successful. The representatives of the ILO had inquired from the CEB employees about the issues that led to this problem. He added that they understood the real problem and promised to resolve this issue through a quick discussion with the Ministry of Labour and all other parties, with the intervention of the International Labour Organization. Prabath Priyantha added that the ILO stated that they would make an active intervention regarding this matter.

Match-fixing: indictments served on Sachithra

Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina, Anidda 

The Attorney General’s Department stated that indictments were served on Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake under the Prevention of Sports-Related Corruption Act on charges linked to match-fixing.

The case had been taken up before the Hambantota High Court, where indictments were formally served.

Accordingly, the court ordered Senanayake to provide fingerprints and released him on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 1 million each.

The charges levelled against Senanayake are related to the Lanka Premier League matches between November 21–22 in 2020.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS

 

Photo credits: Journal of the United Nations

“My dream is to ensure that my people are rich and they have happiness; let us turn every inch of the world into a community of peace; the fight against corruption must be embedded within the culture of each country” – President Dissanayake addresses the 80th session of the UN General Assembly

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered his maiden speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York yesterday (25th).

Addressing the UN General Assembly, the president urged world leaders to commit themselves wholeheartedly to building a safe world for future generations.

The President stressed that nations must walk hand in hand, not apart.

President Dissanayake also expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

He called for an immediate ceasefire, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and the release of hostages by all parties, in line with agreements reached by the United Nations and other stakeholders.

The President highlighted the measures implemented by Sri Lanka to address the global drug issue.

He urged world leaders to collaborate in advancing the global initiative aimed at eradicating the drug menace, which endangers global health, democracy, politics and the overall well-being of society.

Speaking on the importance of eradicating corruption, President Dissanayake stated that it is a destructive force that undermines development, democracy and social well-being while perpetuating poverty.

He noted that Sri Lanka has already embarked on this difficult but essential fight for the sake of future generations and urged all countries to embed the culture of anti-corruption within their governance.

In conclusion, the President stated that the Sri Lankan people, who have chosen the path of light over darkness, are united around the vision of ‘A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life’.

He explained that this historic goal is being advanced step by step through corruption-free and ethical governance, poverty eradication, digitalisation and environmental sustainability, with equal emphasis on strengthening education and healthcare.

The cable car accident in the Na Uyana Monastery: seven monks killed; three foreign monks among the dead

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan

Seven Buddhist monks were killed and six others were injured after a cable-operated rail car overturned at the Na Uyana Monastery in Melsiripura.

The police stated that the accident had occurred around 9:30 p.m., and the cable car, which the monks used to travel to the hilltop of the monastery, had overturned.

Accordingly, four Sri Lankan monks and three monks from foreign countries had lost their lives.

The three foreign monks are reported to be from India, Russia and Romania.

The injured monks are currently receiving treatment at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.

Reportedly, it had been a common practice for monks who meditate in the higher areas of the monastery to leave their meditation chambers every evening and go to the lower part of the monastery to engage in Dhamma discussions.

The police stated that the electrically operated cable car could only accommodate about six people in a single journey.

However, 13 monks had been travelling in the car at the time, and the cable car, which was going up, had suddenly descended rapidly after the cables broke, causing the fatal accident.

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Common priorities: Additional stories

1. Lorry – van accident in Thalawa: four reported dead – Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural         

2. The Speaker, for a second time, explains how the NCM against the deputy minister of defence was removed – Divaina, Virakesari

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