DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “No room for separatism” – President Anura emphasises in his National Independence Day address; “We will respect the identity of all ethnicities; language, religion and cultural differences should not be used as weapons; our goal is to elevate Sri Lanka on the world stage; those who break the law cannot escape its grip” | “Let’s rebuild Sri Lanka”: The 78th National Independence Day celebrations held under the patronage of the president Thinakaran: “Let’s build Sri Lanka; we will achieve more victories by strengthening international relations” – The president addresses the nation from the Independence Day stage |
Thinakkural: “Racism and extremism destroy our strength; we will not allow it anymore” – President Anura at the Independence Day celebrations | “Let’s rebuild Sri Lanka”: A grand celebration for the 78th Independence Day Thamilan: “Let us travel together so that we may go far!” – President Anura’s call at the National Independence Day celebrations |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: “We must build a new Sri Lanka, where all citizens are subject to the law: Let us not walk alone only to take a few steps, but unite and walk far together; the two unpleasant words in our vocabulary are racism and extremism; will initiate the most transformative era in our education sector; no divisions; unity at the forefront; throw away the bad waste of the past” – The president pledges during the 78th Independence Day celebrations Divaina: “No room anymore for division, racism or extremism” – The president states, addressing the nation during the 78th Independence Day celebrations Mawbima: “Must firmly uphold public confidence in the supremacy of the law” – Anura states at the 78th Independence Day celebrations | Public veneration of the Devnimori relics commences today: The first pooja (ceremony) by the president
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Dinamina: “Ready to begin the largest transformative era in education: A new journey based on five pillars will be launched under the theme ‘Rebuild Sri Lanka'” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the 78th Independence Day celebrations Aruna: Allowance for 11,964 students affected by Ditwah in Colombo not paid: 17,399 applications for the Rs. 15,000 allowance Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: IBC Tamil
A protest in the East, declaring Independence Day a “Black Day”; intelligence units threaten protesters by blocking buses; a clash with the police
Virakesari, Thinakkural
A massive protest was jointly organised by the Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances in the East and Eastern University students to declare Sri Lanka’s 78th Independence Day as a “Black Day”.
Despite heavy police presence and roadblocks at the Kallady Bridge and White Bridge, over 1,000 participants from the Batticaloa, Ampara and Trincomalee Districts marched while chanting slogans demanding justice for the disappeared and an end to planned land grabs.
Demonstrators also clashed with the police after being prevented from reaching Gandhi Park, eventually concluding the rally near the White Bridge where Eastern University students read a “Black Day” declaration.
Protesters expressed frustration, noting that current restrictions on their freedom to protest were even more severe than during previous administrations, reaffirming that every Independence Day remains a day of mourning for them.
Thinakkural: Selvarani, the president of the Ampara District Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances, alleged that security forces attempted to intimidate activists travelling to a “Black Independence Day” protest in Batticaloa. Selvarani claimed that yesterday (4th) morning, military intelligence and police officers stopped buses transporting relatives from Thirukkovil at Akkaraipattu. She added that, thereafter, officers placed packets of cannabis inside two buses to falsely implicate and threaten the protesters before taking them to the Akkaraipattu Police Station. Additionally, she noted that the authorities mobilised Sinhala and Tamil youth, as well as Sinhala journalists, to carry out counter-activities against their demonstration.
“The executive presidency must be completely abolished; constitutional supremacy must be established” – Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne emphasises
Virakesari Constitutional expert Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne emphasised that while there is a consensus on transitioning from an executive presidency to a parliamentary democracy, the process must establish constitutional supremacy rather than parliamentary dominance. Speaking at the launch of a constitutional reform dialogue organised by the One Text Initiative (OTI) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on Tuesday (3rd), Wickramaratne welcomed the government’s commitment to resuming the 2016-2018 process to formulate a constitution. To support this initiative and foster public discourse, the OTI also launched the website citizensconstitution.lk, aimed at creating a technically sound and participatory model for the new constitution. |
Velupillai Prabhakaran’s house to be fully renovated; the Valvettithurai Pradeshiya Sabha unanimously passes a resolutionThamilan The Valvettithurai Pradeshiya Sabha has unanimously passed a resolution to fully reconstruct the ancestral home of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the former leader of the LTTE, and hand it over to his sister. Council Member M.K. Sivajilingam, who proposed the motion, argued that the houses of many world leaders are preserved for future generations, making it necessary to restore this site, which is still widely recognised as Prabhakaran’s home despite its demolition by the military. Sivajilingam further suggested that following the restoration, the property should be returned to Prabhakaran’s sister, the legal owner, for its continued maintenance and protection. |
“India as Sri Lanka’s reliable partner” – High Commissioner Santosh Jha’s Independence Day greetings
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran
In a congratulatory message on X to mark Sri Lanka’s Independence Day, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha noted that India shares the spirit of celebration as Sri Lanka’s trusted and dependable partner. “Will mark this special occasion with the inauguration of the exposition of the Holy Devnimori Relics from India”, he further noted.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Asian Mirror
“Let us all unite in a progressive manner to further win total independence” – Premadasa
Divaina
In a statement issued to mark the 78th National Independence Day, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called for all citizens to unite in a progressive manner to further secure the country’s total independence.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Dharamakeerthirama Temple in Colpetty, Premadasa also observed that the imperialism active during the colonial era has re-emerged through different modern perspectives. The opposition leader explained that this influence now operates indirectly across the Global South, instead of as direct imperialism. Premadasa added that this indirect imperialism is currently active within the economy, society, and various other sectors, necessitating a vigilant and united effort to safeguard the country’s autonomy.
“Independence Day is not a simple ceremony” – Mahinda RajapaksaAruna In his message issued yesterday (4th) to mark the 78th Independence Day, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa noted that the celebration of Independence Day is not merely a simple event but an occasion to showcase the pride of the nation to the world. Rajapaksa further stated that this day serves to remember the individuals of the past who endured much hardship to attain a land that is free. Rajapaksa added that it is also an occasion to honour the heroes who made sacrifices for the objectives of freedom. |
200 applications for the post of the CEO of Sri Lankan AirlinesDinamina Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that approximately 200 applications have been received for the position of the chief executive officer (CEO) of the national carrier, SriLankan Airlines. Kodithuwakku noted that the interview process for the role is expected to be completed before the end of next March. The deputy minister added that 75 candidates have already been shortlisted out of the roughly 200 applications received. SriLankan Airlines has been preparing for this leadership change since February, 2025. |
“8,000 doctors remain stagnant in the same hospitals due to the non-implementation of transfers” – GMOA secretary
Dinamina
Secretary of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Dr Prabath Sugathadasa stated that 8,000 doctors across hospitals island-wide are currently stagnant in their positions due to the non-implementation of transfers.
Sugathadasa noted that formal medical transfers were last conducted in 2019. He further explained that the failure to execute these transfers has resulted in doctors being compelled to remain in service at the same stations without the opportunity for relocation.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“No more room for division, racism or extremism” – The president states, addressing the nation during the 78th Independence Day celebrations
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The 78th Independence Day Celebrations of Sri Lanka were held yesterday (4th) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
During the ceremony, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake introduced the theme “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” and called for citizens to unite in building a new nation founded on the essence of their proud history. Dissanayake emphasised the creation of human resources that prioritise knowledge over ignorance and unity over division, noting that the country must be built as one Sri Lankan nation by respecting diversity. The president stated that the national theme gains true meaning through the proper establishment of the supremacy of the rule of law.
Addressing social harmony, Dissanayake stated that racism and extremism are the two most unpleasant words in the country’s vocabulary and that these lead to the destruction of the nation’s strengths. Dissanayake emphasised that division, racism or extremism would not be allowed, adding further that national unity will be established as the foremost strength in the rebuilding process.
Black flags raised in Kilinochchi: The relatives of those who disappeared during the war stage protest on Independence Day
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
A massive rally was held in Kilinochchi yesterday (4th) to declare Sri Lanka’s Independence Day as a “Black Day” for the Tamil people, with thousands of people participating in the emotional demonstration.
Commencing at the Kilinochchi Kandaswamy Temple and concluding at the Depot Junction, the protest highlighted issues of the Sinhalisation of ancestral Tamil lands, planned settlements aimed at making Tamils a minority, and the release of political prisoners.
Participants also demanded justice for the victims of enforced disappearances and the genocide committed during the final stages of the war, while calling for a permanent political solution for the Tamil people.
The rally saw the participation of ITAK MP S. Shritharan, MP T. Ravikaran, former parliamentarians, university students, and families of the disappeared.
During the rally, a memorandum was also dispatched to the UN secretary-general demanding the establishment of an interim administrative mechanism under international supervision until a permanent political solution is reached for the Tamil people.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The sacred Devnimori relics brought to the Gangarama Temple: Open for public veneration – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. “I condemn the attacking of religious leaders by some ministers and MPs” – The cardinal – Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Rasamanickam made the leader of the ITAK parliamentary group, replacing Shritharan – Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Aruna, Thinakaran
4. Applications called for the examination to recruit graduates into the teaching service – Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
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