DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Legal action regardless of status; consultation of the Maha Sangha will be sought; all are equal before the law” – Minister Ananda Wijepala | “Finance Minister and Treasury Secretary must resign immediately, or we will drag them out by their ears” – Channa Jayasumana states at Sarvajana Balaya party protest Thinakaran: Land dispute: Remand for MP Archchuna for threatening a woman with a gun | Digital insurance cards for vehicles | Digital services in the public sector; exploring possibilities and taking swift action | President-led international peace rally to be held today |
Thinakkural: The USD 2.5 million fraud issue escalates. Does the President know the country is in danger? Do you know anything about the financial robbery? The ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation raises 22 questions to the President and the Cabinet | USD 2.5 million fraud: Coconut smashing ritual performed in front of the Central Bank | Protest in front of the Ministry of Finance regarding the USD 2.5 million fraud Thamilan: Threatening with a handgun: [MP] Archchuna remanded. Mallakam court orders; police also seize the gun | Strengthen data security: special circular issued to heads of institutions | Treasury fund fraud; statements recorded from 15 officials |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: What was done to prevent the human-elephant conflict? Chief of the Wildlife Department called before the court Divaina: Government rejects the debate requested by the Opposition on what happened to the USD 2.5 million belonging to the National Treasury
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Dinamina: ‘Ehipassiko’ Walk for Peace ends today: State ceremony to be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake; Special traffic plan in place today Aruna: Businessperson from Galle has funded monks who brought drugs from Thailand; has also offered to spend money to rescue seven monks; organiser monk arrested while in hiding Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Third phase of excavations in Chemmani commenced yesterday
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran
The third phase of excavations at the Chemmani mass grave commenced yesterday (27th) in the presence of Jaffna Magistrate S. Lenin Kumar.
This phase follows the discovery of 240 human skeletons during the previous two stages, of which 239 remains have already been exhumed.
The Ministry of Finance has allocated Rs. 21 million for the current operations, which are expected to last eight weeks.
The excavations resumed after an eight-month hiatus following the conclusion of the second phase on September 6.
The court granted permission for this continued work after the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) submitted an application identifying the presence of further skeletal remains in the area.
Jaffna fisher abducted by Tamil Nadu fisherfolk; Admitted to hospital with injuries from the attack
Thinakkural A fisher from Valalai, Jaffna, was hospitalised with injuries after being abducted and assaulted by fisherfolk from Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred when three individuals in a boat reportedly attempted to cut the fishing nets of Nagapattinam district fisherfolk who were engaged in fishing activities. While two of the individuals managed to flee in their vessel during the ensuing confrontation, the Valalai fisher was captured and taken to India by the Indian fisherfolk. Indian police have initiated an investigation into the assault and the circumstances surrounding the clash. |
“Take steps to return the lands of displaced people” – Eastern land owners send joint letter to the PresidentVirakesari
Landowners from the Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Ampara districts in the Eastern Province have collectively written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requesting the identification and return of lands belonging to people displaced by the war. The letter urges the government to conduct independent investigations into land acquisitions that have resulted in the loss of residential properties, livelihoods, and cultural identities. Representing the three districts of the East, the residents submitted this appeal with the aim of reclaiming their fundamental rights. The landowners emphasised the necessity of a formal process to restore lands to their rightful owners to ensure the recovery of their communities. |
Rishad’s appeal case; a judge recuses from proceedings
Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan Supreme Court Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz recused himself from the bench scheduled to hear the appeal filed by former MP Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday (27th). The appeal challenges a Court of Appeal verdict holding Bathiudeen responsible for clearing protected forests near the Wilpattu National Park for resettlement. Following the recusal for personal reasons, the three-judge bench, which included Justices Sampath Abeykoon and Gihan Kulatunga, ordered the case to be heard before a different bench on September 9. The original 2015 petition by the Centre for Environmental Justice resulted in a court order requiring Bathiudeen to bear the costs of reforestation, estimated at approximately Rs. 1.08 billion. Notably, Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Mahinda Samayawardhena, Janak de Silva, and Arjuna Obeyesekere have also previously recused themselves from this case. |
The USD 2.5 million fraud issue escalates. Does the President know the country is in danger? Do you know anything about the financial robbery? The ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation raises 22 questions to the President and the CabinetThinakkural The ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation has sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the cabinet of ministers, raising 22 questions regarding the alleged theft of USD 2.5 million from the Treasury. The group pointed out that although five days have passed since the incident was revealed, investigators have yet to submit a report to the Magistrate’s Court or record statements from suspended officials. The letter questions whether the president is aware of a cyberattack on the Ministry of Finance’s database around September 6, 2025, and seeks clarification on actions taken by the president and the deputy minister of finance. The lawyers urged the government to publicly respond to these concerns to ensure transparency regarding the missing funds. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
A war in the Magazine Prison: an inmate killed; two, including a prison guard, hospitalised
Lankadeepa, Aruna
One inmate has died following a clash between two inmates and a prison guard at the Colombo Magazine Prison.
This incident occurred yesterday (27th) evening, and the deceased is a 38-year-old inmate, a resident of the Grandpass area, who had been imprisoned on drug charges.
The prison guard had attempted to prevent this inmate, along with another inmate, from leaving the ward where they were being held to go to another ward.
The Borella Police stated that the two inmates had assaulted the officer, and the guard had also retaliated.
Following the admission of the two assaulted inmates and the guard to the prison hospital, one inmate died.
Presidents of the Maldives and Vietnam to arrive in Sri LankaDinamina Further strengthening bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, the presidents of the Maldives and Vietnam are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka next week for two-day official visits. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on May 4, and four other ministers of the Maldivian government will also arrive in Sri Lanka along with the president. This visit takes place while further expanding Sri Lanka-Maldives cooperation, and the ministry points out that during the Maldivian President’s stay in the country, he is scheduled to meet and hold discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Attention will be focused on numerous sectors between the two countries, such as fisheries, trade, tourism, education, and health, during these discussions. |
“The parliament must have been notified about the theft of funds from the Treasury in January itself” — SJB MP Harsha de SilvaDivaina Chair of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) SJB MP Harsha de Silva stated that the parliament must have been informed regarding the theft of USD 2.5 million from the National Treasury by hackers in January, 2026 itself. He added that many questions have arisen due to the parliament not being informed of the incident via the COPF. He added that he expects that all relevant individuals, including the secretary of the National Treasury be brought before the COPF soon in order to gather more details about the incident. |
Sri Lanka has gone beyond the revenue targets given by the IMF: latest reports state
Dinamina
Marking a critical milestone in Sri Lanka’s path to economic recovery, the country has succeeded in surpassing the revenue targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to the latest reports, government revenue has shown a significant growth as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to the agreements reached with the IMF, government revenue was required to be maintained at a level of 15% of the GDP, yet Sri Lanka has successfully exceeded that limit.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Jaffna Monitor
MP Ramanathan Archchuna remanded over threatening a woman
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna was arrested by the Ilavalai Police yesterday (27th) with regard to an incident of threatening a woman with a firearm.
The MP was remanded until April 29 after being produced in the Mallakam Court.
MP Ramanathan Archchuna was taken into police custody in this manner after being summoned to the Ilavalai Police regarding the threatening of a woman with a firearm during a conflict that arose over a land dispute.
‘Ehipassiko’ Walk for Peace ends today: State ceremony to be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake; Special traffic plan in place today
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
The ‘Ehipassiko’ Walk for Peace, conducted by the Maha Sangha led by Ven. Pannakara Thera of Vietnam, with the aim of carrying the message of peace to the world, is scheduled to end today (28th).
Additionally, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to officially hand over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi at Independence Square to the delegation led by Ven. Pannakara Thera.
A special discussion with school children and university students is scheduled to be held today (28th) at 11:00 a.m. at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya.
A state ceremony will also be held today (28th) at 4:00 p.m. at Independence Square with the participation of the President, during which the President is scheduled to officially hand over the sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi.
The walk, which resumes at 5:30 p.m., is scheduled to end at 7:00 p.m. at the Gangaramaya Temple.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Protests in front of the Ministry of Finance and the CBSL | Sarvajana Balaya Party surrounds the Ministry of Finance against USD 2.5 million fraud – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. “It is a time that everyone must come together to fight for the rights of the people” – UNP invited to the SJB rally; SJB General Secretary writes to Thalatha Athukorala – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural
3. Voting rights for the Sri Lankan diaspora: special committee advises using embassy, postal, and secure online methods – Dinamina, Aruna, Thamilan
4. Government rejects the debate requested by the Opposition on what happened to the USD 2.5 million belonging to the National Treasury – Divaina, Thinakkural
5. “The law to be imposed to the letter on the monks that were arrested with drugs” — Minister Ananda Wijepala – Dinamina, Virakesari
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