DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Trump’s deadline expires today; Iran continues to reject calls for talks as regional tensions escalate | Sallay files a writ petition in the Court of Appeal | Special Wednesday holiday cancelled from tomorrow | Head of the intelligence division of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps killed; Israel claims responsibility for the attack Thinakaran: Middle East crisis drives up fuel prices; special allowance arranged to support fisherfolk livelihoods after discussions with the President – Minister Chandrasekar | Health Minister provides assurance; GMOA suspends strike | WTI-grade crude oil from the United States arrives in the country in May; national fuel requirement guaranteed, says CPC Managing Director Mayura Neththikumara | Red alert issued for 20 districts due to lightning strikes | Special Wednesday holiday cancelled from the 8th – Commissioner General of Essential Services announces |
Thinakkural: Over 300 individuals trained in ISIS camps for suicide attacks could pose a threat to the country; if not identified, another attack similar to the Easter Sunday bombings may occur, warns Gammanpila | Unannounced power cuts and water cuts already in effect in the country – opposition claims | In frustration over defeat, Trump launches US attacks, causing large-scale destruction in Iran Thamilan: Iran launches intense attacks in Israel and Gulf countries; Tehran rejects Trump’s request and refuses to reopen the Strait of Hormuz | Food prices have increased; snack prices have decreased | President instructs to hold discussions with health sector trade unions; Health Minister to meet them the day after tomorrow | Easter Sunday attack to be debated in Parliament on Thursday; decision by the Committee on Parliamentary Business | Cooking gas prices increased |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: [Ishara] Sewwandi’s birthday cake poisoned? [cake] sent to the government analyst; a report from the police to the court Divaina: 6.1 million families fall straight from the frying pan and into the fire as gas prices soar: Koththu and rice increased by Rs. 20; highest gas usage in Colombo, lowest in Monaragala; significant hike in prices this time
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Dinamina: “Wednesday holiday cancelled: schools, offices and courts operational from tomorrow as usual” – Commissioner General of Essential Services states Aruna: 60,000 homeless people in severe food crisis with price hike in food items; alms given for merit also reduced Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ministry of Fisheries
Special allowance to support fisherfolk amid Middle East crisis and rising fuel prices
Thinakaran
Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar held a special discussion with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (6th) to address the economic pressure faced by the fishing community due to rising global fuel prices and the Middle East conflict.
The meeting focused on providing an immediate special allowance to fisherfolk to mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions and ensure national food security.
Minister Chandrasekar noted that a cabinet paper would be submitted to obtain formal government approval for this relief measure, aimed at helping fisherfolk resume their livelihood activities.
The government expects this intervention to stabilise the domestic fish supply and offer urgent financial redress to the affected coastal communities.
Special committee to discuss provincial council election procedures
Virakesari Officials from the Attorney General’s Department and the Election Commission (EC) are scheduled to appear today (7th) before the Parliamentary Select Committee tasked with submitting recommendations on the provincial council election system. Chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, the committee will examine legal obstacles caused by the incomplete delimitation process required under the 2017 mixed-member proportional representation system. Representatives from the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), ITAK, and SJB, including MPs Mano Ganesan and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, have collectively urged the government to conduct the elections under the previous proportional representation system to resolve administrative issues in education and health. Minister Herath emphasised the need for a system that mandates representation for women and youth while seeking a clear legal path from the EC and the Attorney General to hold the long-delayed polls. |
Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner [to South India] denies attending political meetingThinakaran, Virakesari
Dr Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner to South India based in Chennai, has refuted allegations that he participated in a meeting with fisherfolk organised by a political party. Clarifying the incident to The Hindu, Geathiswaran stated that he attended a routine interaction with the fishing community on Sunday (5th) and emphasised that the event was not politically motivated. The controversy arose following a social media post by Indian Congress Working Committee member Pawan Khera, who suggested the meeting violated the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations regarding non-interference in internal affairs. Geathiswaran maintained that since assuming his official role, he has held multiple such discussions in Puducherry, Nagapattinam, and Kanyakumari to engage directly with fisherfolk associations. He further asserted that he did not participate in any political campaigning and that the gathering took place in an open coastal area rather than a formal political stage. |
Sri Lanka records significant gains in political rights and civil liberties
Virakesari
Sri Lanka achieved a notable improvement in its political rights and civil liberties during 2025, according to the ‘Freedom in the World 2026’ report by US-based Freedom House.
While global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year, Sri Lanka’s score increased by 5 points, placing it among the top countries for progress alongside Syria, Bolivia, and Gabon.
The report attributed this positive shift to developments following the 2024 presidential election, including the new government’s efforts to combat corruption and promote religious tolerance.
Although Sri Lanka remains in the ‘Partly Free’ category with an aggregate score of 63, the advancement reflects a period of democratic recovery following recent political and economic instability.
In contrast, several other nations, such as Guinea-Bissau and El Salvador, experienced significant deterioration in their democratic standing during the same period.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Türkiye Today
A proposal from Pakistan for a ceasefire between the US and Iran: the main goal is to get the Strait of Hormuz opened
Lankadeepa, Dinamina
Foreign media reports that a background is being created for a ceasefire between the United States of America (USA) and Iran, with the intervention of Pakistan, amidst armed conflicts and warnings.
Foreign media further reports that this ceasefire proposal, named the Pakistan or Islamabad Accord, has been forwarded to both the USA and Iran as of yesterday (6th), and that both parties may express their agreement to the peace plan at any moment.
Although information has been released stating that a 45-day ceasefire consisting of 15 points is included in the proposal, it is also reported that no party has confirmed this yet.
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Customs seized container full of illegal cigarettes worth around Rs. 507 millionDivaina, Dinamina This container was imported from Dubai in November 2025 to an address belonging to a private institution in the Battaramulla area. Upon inspection of this container, which was considered suspicious, the stock of cigarettes brought in illegally was found within. |
“Offer a relief package to the people with reductions in gas, fuel and electricity bills” — Sajith Premadasa requests the governmentsDivaina Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday (6th) urged the government to reduce the increased prices of gas, fuel, and electricity bills and provide a relief package to the public. Premadasa also accused the government of failing to understand the hardships faced by ordinary citizens, emphasising that the sudden price hikes have placed millions under immense pressure. The opposition leader pointed out that uncertainty remains over whether the country’s gas requirements are being met by suppliers, while rapid price increases have left people vulnerable. |
No gas shortage to be expected during the festive season: Laugfs gas ship has arrived, while a Litro gas ship will be arriving soon
Dinamina
Litro and Laugfs gas companies state that there is a sufficient quantity of gas to issue to consumers without a shortage during the festive season.
Laugfs Gas PLC states that a ship carrying 7,000 MT of gas has already arrived at the Hambantota International Port and that the gas is being unloaded.
Litro Gas Company states that a stock of 38,000 MT of gas has been ordered for the New Year.
The company mentions that 20,000 MT from that order have arrived in the Maldives.
Litro Gas Company mentions that another 15,000 MT are reaching the country.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“Wednesday holiday cancelled: schools, offices and courts operational from tomorrow as usual” – Commissioner General of Essential Services states
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna
The government has decided to cancel the Wednesday holiday granted to government institutions and schools, effective from tomorrow (8th).
The government previously decided to declare every Wednesday of the week as a holiday in order to efficiently maintain the country’s essential services while managing the fuel crisis caused by the war in the Middle East.
Chief of Staff to the President and Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government of this decision yesterday (6th).
Accordingly, government offices, schools, and court activities will be held as usual from Wednesday, April 8.
Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi states that the relevant circular is scheduled to be issued in the future.
Suresh Sallay files writ petition; requests to invalidate the detention order
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina
Former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) of Sri Lanka, Retired Major General Suresh Sallay, has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal challenging his arrest and detention by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The arrest was made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with ongoing investigations related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
The petition, submitted by Sallay, names several senior officials as respondents, including Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya, Director of the CID Shani Abeysekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Reverend Rohan Silva, and the Attorney General (AG).
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. A discussion to be held with Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, the day after tomorrow: doctors’ strike halted temporarily – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. Price of a barrel of crude oil increased to USD 110 following Trump’s threat to Iran: “more destructive retaliation to be unleashed if civilian targets are attacked” — Iran responds – Divaina, Virakesari, Thamilan
3. “Service charges for all transactions up to Rs. 5,000 made via QR codes to be waived” — President states at the National QR Payment Promotion Programme – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran
4. A crude oil shipment from the US to arrive in May – Dinamina, Thinakaran
5. “It was Mujibur Rahman that stopped investigations into Zahran” — Udaya Gammanpila | “A group that was beaten and chased out are dressed in white and trying to trick the public today” — Mujibur Rahman – Dinamina, Virakesari
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