DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Court proceedings paralysed; lawyers participate in a nationwide strike | Lawyer’s assassination reveals lapse in national security, asserts Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) | Not in accordance with international standards: UN special rapporteur writes to president Anura regarding anti-terrorism bill Thinakaran: Visit of Pakistan’s interior minister and cricket team: two events strengthening Sri Lanka-Pakistan friendship, says President Anura | Electricity tariffs to be reduced within three years as promised by the government; decision to implement a long-term plan | Uproar at meeting attended by Sajith |
Thinakkural: Conspiracy to rule with underworld aid: the government is behind violence! Journalists may face life threats – Sagara Kariyawasam | Anyone could be shot on the street at any moment; SJB MP Suranga Rathnayaka expresses deep concern | Court operations completely paralysed due to lawyers’ boycott | Country under underworld administration; MP Ajith Perera expresses suspicion Thamilan: Condemnation of Akuregoda assassination; lawyers launch protest action | Citizenship issue for 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamils in India; CM Stalin writes to PM Modi seeking solution | Dignified solution needed for Sri Lankan refugees; MP Mano urges Indian government | Kristalina [Georgieva] arrives in Sri Lanka |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Lawyers on strike: court cases across the country, postponed; cases concerning Namal Rajapaksa, Diana Gamage and Keheliya Rambukwella also among them; lawyers engage in silent protest in front of court Divaina: Black flags raised near courts: thousands of court cases across the country postponed as lawyers engage in protests and marches; “this dual-murder must be the end of deaths such as these” – President of the BASL Mawbima: Brothers from Athurugiriya who supplied weapons for the murder of the lawyer, apprehended; orders received from Sudda; vehicle that brought weapons for the murder also seized | Clients inconvenienced by the lawyer strike; many crucial court cases postponed
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Dinamina: “Tax relief of 10 years for those investing in development” – Directives from President Anura | Rs. 10 billion allocated to purchase paddy for the Maha season | Misuse of Rs. 70 million: Krrish case against Namal Rajapaksa to be held on February 19 | “The state lands given by previous governments to their cronies will be reclaimed immediately” – Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath Vitharana Aruna: Shortage of 2,000 university lecturers and professors: approximately 1,000 have left universities after 2022 Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Groundviews
UN experts express concern over Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill
Virakesari
Seven UN Human Rights Council special rapporteurs have jointly written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing serious concern regarding the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill.
While welcoming the government’s commitment to reviewing counter-terrorism laws and seeking public input, the experts noted that the new draft fails to rectify key flaws found in the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and does not fully align with international law.
They specifically highlighted that the definition of “terrorism” in Section 3 remains overly broad, posing a risk that the law could be used to suppress civil activists, human rights defenders, and political critics.
Furthermore, the experts raised alarm over excessive police and military powers for arrest and detention, as well as provisions that could infringe upon the freedom of expression.
The UN rapporteurs have requested clarification on how the draft complies with international human rights standards and urged an inclusive and transparent public consultation process before the deadline for submissions on October 28.
Dignified solution needed for Sri Lankan refugees; MP Mano urges Indian government
Thamilan, Virakesari Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader and MP Mano Ganesan asserted that the Indian central government and the Tamil Nadu state government must adopt a clear stance to provide a dignified solution for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. Ganesan proposed that those who have lived in India for decades and wish to obtain Indian citizenship should be granted it, while others should be allowed to maintain their Sri Lankan citizenship and remain in camps until a safe environment is created for their return. He highlighted that many of the younger generation, born or raised in India and integrated into its socio-economic system, face travel restrictions and instability due to a lack of official documentation. The MP urged both governments to treat this as a long-standing humanitarian issue and establish a transparent process to regularise their citizenship status. |
25 Indian fisherfolk arrested with two mechanised trawlers off KankesanthuraiVirakesari, Thinakkural
The Sri Lanka Navy arrested 25 Indian fisherfolk and seized two trawlers for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Kankesanthurai, Jaffna. The arrests were made during special operations conducted on Sunday night and early Monday morning. The Navy Media Division stated that the apprehended fisherfolk, reportedly from the Karaikal region, were taken to the Kankesanthurai naval camp for preliminary investigations. Both the individuals and their vessels have been handed over to the Myliddy Fisheries Inspector’s office for further legal action. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Rs. 10 billion allocated to purchase paddy for the Maha season
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina
The government has allocated Rs. 10 billion for the purchase of paddy during the 2025-2026 Maha season, with the official purchase prices announced yesterday (16th).
Under this scheme, Keeri Samba will be purchased at Rs. 140 per kg, Samba at Rs. 130 per kg, and Nadu at Rs. 120 per kg.
Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, D.P. Wickremasinghe, stated during a media briefing at the Department of Government Information yesterday (16th) that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to take immediate action to purchase the harvest without any limitations.
“Tax relief of 10 years for those investing in development” – Directives from President AnuraDinamina The government has decided to grant tax exemptions for up to 10 years for strategic development projects in the tourism products and agricultural sectors. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has issued the relevant order. Under this new tax concession programme, projects with investments ranging between USD 50 million and USD 300 million will be eligible for benefits. However, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development emphasises that to qualify for these concessions, the relevant investment must generate a minimum of 50 local jobs. |
Prabath Chandrakeerthi appointed Chief of Staff to the PresidentMawbima, Aruna Prabath Chandrakeerthi was yesterday (16th) appointed as the Chief of Staff to the President. The letter of appointment was handed over to Chandrakeerthi by the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat. Chandrakeerthi is a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service and has served in the public sector for 26 years. |
Inform us if high [above published] interest rates are charged – CBSL
Mawbima, Aruna
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) stated that complaints can be lodged via the telephone number 1935 if commercial banks charge interest rates higher than the rates published by the CBSL.
The bank further noted that complaints can be submitted to this number during office hours.
The CBSL also mentioned that if commercial banks charge high interest, customers have the option to move to another bank.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Black flags raised near courts: thousands of court cases across the country postponed as lawyers engage in protests and marches; “this dual-murder must be the end of deaths such as these” – President of the BASL
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
All lawyers across Sri Lanka yesterday (16th) decided to withdraw from all professional duties and court proceedings to protest the shooting of an attorney and his wife near a supermarket in Akuregoda, Battaramulla.
Under this situation, judges took steps to call all cases in which lawyers did not appear on another date.
Lawyers had also hung black flags in certain court premises, while others protested in front of courts silently against the murder.
President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Rajeev Amarasuriya stated that this decision followed a special discussion involving the entire membership in Colombo on Sunday (15th).
Amarasuriya stated that the government must take responsibility to ensure that such murders do not take place again and that these deaths must be the last of their kind.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India for AI conference
Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to depart for India this afternoon (17th) to attend the AI [Artificial Intelligence] Impact Summit 2026, following a special invitation from Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
The summit, chaired by PM Modi, aims to promote the responsible use of AI for the benefit of humanity, and President Dissanayake is set to address the gathering on February 19.
The five-day summit will see the participation of heads of state from 20 countries and representatives from over 45 nations to discuss the future of AI technology and its role in overcoming global challenges.
During the visit, President Dissanayake is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other world leaders.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Chief Minister Stalin requests citizenship for Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu – Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination to commence today – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva arrives in the country – Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
4. Brothers from Athurugiriya who supplied weapons for the murder of the lawyer, apprehended – Lankadeepa, Mawbima, Aruna, Thamilan
5. “Minister Wijepala must resign after taking the responsibility for the death of the lawyer” – UNP states – Mawbima, Virakesari
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