The way I read this, the Sri Lankan A340 continued to its destination 24 hours late, after its damaged winglet (red winglet in the photo) was removed. It looks like from the lower photo, left side, there was significant sheet metal damage to the wing leading edge. This must have been repaired, and the winglet removed. The 747 winglet was also damaged, with a piece of it apparently lying on the ground.
If the sheet metal on the A340 leading edge was repaired and the winglet removed, the aircraft was perfectly safe to fly, with a performance penalty applied.
YOu may be right - but then why the greater attention paid to the BA 747?
Sounds like sensational reporting to me.