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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Dan Priyasad murder: Six police teams on investigation; Kanjipani Imran’s gang is behind it; travel ban imposed on father-son; three who supported also arrested | “A culture of murder emerges; a threat to national security” – Leader of the Opposition Sajith alleges Thinakaran: Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN): About 10 million (one crore) people have registered so far | The Catholics requested to fly the Catholic flag at half-mast | Cybercrime incidents increase at unprecedented rate; 2,500 complaints registered in last four months |
Thinakkural: “The discussion with the United States on the recently imposed tariffs was favourable for Sri Lanka; joint statement with bilateral agreement” – Presdent | Infamous Sinhala-Buddhist activist Dan Priyasad shot dead Thamilan: Dan Priyasad shot dead; gunmen entered the house and opened fire; special police teams appointed for investigation |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: One of the three vehicles given to former presidents requested to be returned: none had returned vehicles although they were requested to be handed over by April 23; 2,000 litre fuel quota also reduced to 900 litres | 150 hospitalised after being trampled in the Dalada exposition queue: one woman dies | Refrain from coming for the Dalada exposition today and tomorrow – Police requests | 800,000 people have worshipped at the Dalada exposition within six days Divaina: The underworld, politics or extremism? A string of unresolved issues tail the murder of Dan Priyasad: a contracted murder – police suspects; five police groups commence investigations | Police requests overseas travel ban on suspected father-son duo connected to Dan Priyasad’s muder Ada: Even though Sri Lanka’s economy has grown beyond its forecast, one third of the country is at risk of being poverty-stricken – One of the latest reports of the World Bank warns |
Mawbima: Today is the seventh day of the Sri Dalada exposition: 300,000 people standing in queues in Kandy; refrain from coming today and tomorrow – Police requests | Dinamina: The number of people in queues increases to 400,000 per day; refrain from coming for the exposition today and tomorrow; a sticker for those who are already standing in queues; additional military troops called in – Police states Aruna: Police service charges increase: services of police dogs to be given at Rs. 20,000; services of a police horse to be given at Rs. 30,000; Rs. 300 charged for the police report that was previously given free-of-charge Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ceylon Today
“A culture of murder emerges; a threat to national security” – Leader of the Opposition Sajith alleges
Thinakkural, Thamilan, Thinakaran, Virakesari
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa claimed that a culture of murder has emerged in the country, adding that this year alone a large number of shooting incidents have been reported which have resulted in fatalities. He further added that today gunmen are entering homes without fear and shooting, and that the country has reached a point where people cannot even move freely on the streets. Addressing a public meeting held in the Bulathsinhala area yesterday (23rd), he noted that it is the duty of the government to create an environment where the people of the country can live freely and safely and go about their daily lives in a safe manner.
“Public security is at risk” – Shanakiyan
Thamilan Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam claimed that the assassination of Dan Priyasad raises grave concerns regarding the current state of public security in Sri Lanka. Expressing his concerns on X, he added that he has consistently opposed Priyasad’s actions, but his murder, irrespective of his political alignment, constitutes part of a disturbing pattern of escalating violence witnessed across the country in recent months. He noted that, in this context, public confidence in the government’s assurances that efforts are underway to suppress underworld activity is deeply undermined by the |
“Attack in Jammu and Kashmir is a condemnable act” – Palani Thigambaram
Virakesari In a statement released on the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance and SJB MP Palani Thigambaram claimed that the attack is a condemnable act. He added that India has always been a country that supports and loves peace. In such a situation, the attack in Jammu and Kashmir has created a huge mess. He noted that attack and war are not the solution to anything, and that India must recover from this tense situation. He further added that they will support India as a neighbouring country and as a cooperating country. |
“We will form [LG] governments with Gajendrakumar” – Selvam Adaikkalanathan
Thinakkural
Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) MP Amirthanathan (Selvam) Adaikkalanathan asserted that his party will create the ability so that they could work together with All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam’s party when forming the local governments, adding that it was because they are people who love unity. Addressing an election campaign in Vavuniya, he further added that the JVP has pledged to win the LG bodies through fielding Tamil candidates and subsequently target the provincial council elections as well. He emphasised that the Tamil parties should win the local government bodies.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sunday Times
Refrain from attending the Dalada exposition today and tomorrow – Police requests | 150 hospitalised after being trampled in the Dalada exposition queue: one woman dies | 800,000 people have worshipped at the Dalada exposition within six days
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
Sri Lanka Police issuing a statement requested the public to refrain from arriving in Kandy in the next two days, April 24 and 25, to attend the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy. The police added that over 300,000 devotees were already present standing in several queues around the city. Additionally, a sticker has been given to the devotees who are currently standing in the said queues.
Lankadeepa and Aruna report that a woman who was standing in line had passed away, while Lankadeepa highlights that 150 people had been trampled in the chaos.
Papers report further that around 800,000 devotees have attended the exposition during the past six days.
One of the three vehicles given to former presidents requested to be returned: none had returned vehicles although they were requested to be handed over by April 23; 2,000 litre fuel quota also reduced to 900 litres
Lankadeepa, Mawbima Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has informed former presidents of Sri Lanka to handover one of the three vehicles that have been given to them by the government. Although the former presidents had been previously requested to return the vehicles, none have been returned so far. Letters had accordingly been sent to former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe. Additionally, issuing a circular, Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has announced that the number of vehicles given to one minister would be limited to two. Further, the 2,000 litre fuel quota that was given to ministers has been reduced to 900 litres. |
A 5.87% growth in the export division during the first quarter of 2025 – Export Development Board
Dinamina, Ada The Export Development Board of Sri Lanka stated that Sri Lanka has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in its export sector during the first quarter of 2025. Accordingly, the Board stated further that total exports reached USD 4,212.13 million, reflecting a 5.87% growth compared to the same period last year (2024). The Board added that March 2025 has proven especially successful with total exports, including both merchandise and services, reaching USD 1,507.90 million. This represents an impressive 6.24% year-on-year growth compared to March 2024 and a substantial 11.76% month-on-month increase from February 2025. |
Presidential Secretariat to sell 27 vehicles
Aruna
Another 27 luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat are set to be sold. Prices for these have been invited through a tender notice. The tender document for the relevant project can be collected from yesterday (23rd) until May 14 by paying the fee to the Finance Division of the Presidential Secretariat. Additionally, an auction was held on February 28 to sell 14 luxury vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat, six decommissioned vehicles and vehicle spare parts.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily News
The underworld, politics or extremism? A string of unresolved issues tail the murder of Dan Priyasad: a contracted murder – Police suspects; five police groups commence investigations | Police requests overseas travel ban on suspected father-son duo connected to Dan Priyasad’s muder
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Police states that preliminary investigations into the murder of social activist and SLPP Kolonnawa Urban Council candidate Dan Priyasad suggests that the murder was carried out by contracted gunmen commissioned by an organised group. The police added that three suspects were also arrested in connection with the murder yesterday (23rd). Police stated further that the reason behind the murder is still unclear and that the investigation will be approached from three angles – underworld vengeance, politics and extremism. Accordingly, five police groups have been assigned to carry out the investigation. Additionally, two suspects, a father and son duo, who were arrested in relation to the murder have been imposed with an overseas travel ban by the court as requested by the police.
The control of the Matara Prison restored to the defence units: all inmates transferred to Angunukolapalassa
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Following the unrest that occurred in the Matara Prison on Tuesday (22nd), the Department of Prisons had taken steps yesterday (23rd) to transfer all inmates of the Matara Prison to the Angunukolapalassa Prison. The tense situation had erupted when prison authorities attempted to transfer three inmates from the Matara Prison to the Angunakolapelessa Prison. Responding to the transfer, a group of inmates began to protest and exhibited unruly behaviour, while another group attacked prison officers with stones, injuring three. Accordingly, prison officials were compelled to fire warning shots into the air in an attempt to restore order. Divaina reports that the tension arose as a result of inter-gang rivalries of three underworld gangs whose members were inmates of the Matara Prison.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “Tariff discussions with Trump were successful: a joint statement to be issued soon” – President reveals – Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
2. The investigation committee on Deshabandu appointed – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. Body of Nimesh Sathsara who died in the custody of the Welikada Prison exhumed – Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural
4. One third of this country’s population is poverty stricken | The economy of Sri Lanka will grow in 2025 – The World Bank – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Virakesari
5.Postal voting to begin today – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Virakesari
6. Shani Abeysekara included in the Easter attack investigation committee – Divaina, Ada, Thamilan
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