DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
|
Virakesari: “The government’s drama will soon be exposed; there is no written guarantee regarding the wage increase for estate workers” – UNP | Following Cambridge, Oxford too denies permission to Namal MP Thinakaran: “31,000 houses in the National Housing Scheme this year” – Minister Susil Ranasinghe | National ceremony for the distribution of land title deeds headed by the President |
Thinakkural: “Attempt to imprison Ranil! We will appeal to the international community; we will go to the UN and the European Union” – says Harin | “Arrangements are being made to construct elephant fences and salt pans through the lands of Tamil people in order to protect lands encroached upon by Sinhalese” – Ravikaran MP | “Sins committed in the past are haunting the Rajapaksas even in London today; do not blame us” – Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe | Ban on Namal; Ali Sabry concerned Thamilan: “Violations of international law must be condemned regardless of who commits them; justice is essential for the victims!” – UN High Commissioner Volker Türk emphasises at the UNHRC session | “Refusing speeches will not strengthen democracy!” – says Namal MP | Namal MP’s special speeches at international universities cancelled; Oxford – Cambridge administrations impose bans | “Farmers’ issues; two years needed for a solution” – Requests Minister Lalkantha |
Sinhala Headlines
|
Lankadeepa: The container incident: other heads of the Customs also summoned before the parliamentary committee: trade union investigations team also summoned | 16 Chinese nationals involved in a pyramid scheme while hiding in Narahenpita: 3,000 illegal cigarettes also found in their possession Divaina: “Murder the informant who gave the Rs. 3.5 billion drug tip in Kirinda and send his head to Olugala’s house” – Mercenary who took orders from underworld figure who fled to Dubai states, quoting him Mawbima: CEB employees are killing time until the end of the O/L examination: a strike if a solution is not given in 48 hours | Customs take over BOI export investigations – Exporters concerned
|
Dinamina: ‘A Place of One’s Own – A Beautiful Life’: Rs. 1,500 million allocated for housing programme for low-income-earning families: 31,000 houses nationwide; cheques to be awarded to beneficiaries of 13 districts tomorrow Aruna: Commando Salintha breaks down in tears before the magistrate at the CID Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
[paywall layout_id=”1906″ service_tags=”TMA,FP” preview=”true”]
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily FT
“Violations of international law must be condemned regardless of who commits them; justice is essential for the victims!” – UN High Commissioner Volker Türk emphasises at the UNHRC session
Thamilan
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged the international community to strengthen the International Criminal Court and promote domestic investigations based on universal jurisdiction.
Addressing the 61st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday (23), Türk highlighted that mothers in countries including Sri Lanka continue to struggle for justice for their disappeared children.
He emphasised that human rights are not political commodities to be bargained with and condemned the increasing use of violence to settle disputes.
The High Commissioner also raised concerns over severe rights violations in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar, noting that the laws of war are being brutally ignored.
He concluded by calling for global alliances to uphold equality, dignity, and justice for all.
“Arrangements are being made to construct elephant fences and salt pans through the lands of Tamil people in order to protect lands encroached upon by Sinhalese” – Ravikaran MP
Thinakkural ITAK MP T. Ravikaran urged the Mullaitivu District Secretary to intervene against illegal land encroachments in the Kokkuthoduvai agrarian division. Representing local farmer organisations, the MP noted that the Mahaweli Development Authority is constructing an elephant fence through ancestral paddy lands in areas including Kumaravadikkandal and Akkaraiveli to benefit encroachers. He also highlighted attempts to establish a saltern in Kottaikkeni, violating a District Coordinating Committee resolution protecting Tamil-owned lands. District Secretary A. Umamaheswaran assured that necessary action would be taken upon receiving formal written complaints from the affected farmer groups. |
“Sins committed in the past are haunting the Rajapaksas even in London today; do not blame us” – Minister Wasantha SamarasingheThinakkural
Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the National People’s Power (NPP) government is not responsible for the protests against MP Namal Rajapaksa in London or the cancellation of his Cambridge speech. He noted that the Rajapaksas are now reaping the international consequences of their past actions and clarified that the government has no connection to the spontaneous protests by diaspora groups. Furthermore, Samarasinghe emphasised that domestic investigations into corruption allegations will continue legally, asserting that those who misappropriated public funds cannot escape punishment regardless of their location. |
“North and East belong to Sinhala Buddhists due to heritage” – Says Ven. Gnanasara Thera
Thinakkural Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera asserted that the North and East are heritage regions of the Sinhalese and Buddhists, containing numerous archaeological sites. Speaking at a press briefing yesterday (23rd), he claimed that 1,080 archaeological sites exist in Batticaloa alone and criticised suggestions that monks should not visit the North. The Thera emphasised that throughout history, including during the invasions of Kalinga Magha and European colonisers, Buddhism could not be destroyed. He further called for legal action against those who criticise the Maha Sangha and stated his readiness to confront those acting against Buddhist monks. |
“The government’s drama will soon be exposed; there is no written guarantee regarding the wage increase for estate workers” – UNPVirakesari UNP Deputy Secretary, former MP Harin Fernando, stated that there is no written assurance regarding the recent wage increase for plantation workers. Speaking at the political office of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (23rd), he claimed the move is a government drama that will be exposed in a few months. Fernando noted that while plantation companies granted the increase based on an understanding with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, MP Jeevan Thondaman has highlighted the lack of formal documentation. He added that the number of plantation workers has dwindled from 300,000 to 60,000, and emphasised the need to protect the industry given Thondaman’s experience in the sector. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Groundviews
File charges against former director of the National Education Institute over contempt of court — SC orders AG
Lankadeepa, Divaina
The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the Attorney General (AG) to file a contempt of court charge sheet against the former director of the National Institute of Education (NIE).
The order follows the failure to comply with a judicial directive related to Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions.
These petitions were filed regarding the premature release of three questions from the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination paper, in which the former director was named as a respondent.
The Court has issued a notice requiring the respondent to appear before it on March 26.
Inflation reduced in JanuaryLankadeepa, Divaina According to the Department of Census and Statistics, the overall inflation rate measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) dropped to 2.4% in January 2026, down from 2.9% in December 2025. This decline was supported by a reduction in food inflation, which fell from 4.4% in December 2025 to 3.4% in January 2026. Conversely, Year-on-Year inflation for the non-food category remained stable at 1.6% during the same period. |
“Public institutions must be given facilities to engage in social services” – Former President Ranil WickremesingheDinamina Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the government and provincial councils should provide the necessary facilities for public institutions to carry out social service activities. He pointed out that such support would enable these institutions to provide an immense service to the public. Wickremesinghe made these remarks while attending the opening ceremony of the Lions Centennial Vocational Training Centre as the chief guest on Sunday (22nd). |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
“The speeches to be given at Oxford and Cambridge were cancelled due to protests by an organised group” – MP Namal Rajapaksa
Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
National Organiser of the SLPP, Namal Rajapaksa, expressed regret that organisers had to cancel his lectures and speeches at Oxford and Cambridge universities due to pressure from organised groups.
He noted that he had unconditionally accepted the invitations from both societies.
Issuing a statement regarding the cancellations, which followed intense protests from British Tamil student organisations and activists, Rajapaksa stated that meaningful reconciliation and progress only occur when diverse perspectives meet through open dialogue.
He emphasised his willingness to engage directly with critics, including those strongly opposed to his views, adding that rejecting such opportunities does not strengthen democracy.
While expressing gratitude to both universities for their invitations, Rajapaksa acknowledged the difficult situation they faced.
He concluded by expressing hope for future opportunities to meet in forums that encourage conversational discussion.
300,000 cylinders of gas will be released for three days – Litro states
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran
Litro Gas Lanka Ltd stated that it has commenced the distribution of 300,000 domestic gas cylinders to the market starting yesterday (23rd).
The company confirmed that unloading operations began yesterday following the arrival of a vessel carrying 3,900 MT of LP gas at the Port of Colombo.
Two additional shipments are scheduled to arrive on February 25 and February 28.
While supply was recently disrupted by an unexpected surge in demand, the company plans to release 100,000 cylinders daily to gradually alleviate the current shortage.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “The ninth coal consignment has also arrived, when the coal brought via eight other consignments were found to be of substandard [quality]” – Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa – Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari
2. MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka and Dilith Jayaweera also join the coal issue – Divaina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thamilan
3. “Will appeal internationally regarding the harassment Ranil is subjected to within the government” | “An attempt to imprison Ranil! We will appeal to the international community; we will go to the UN and the European Union” – MP Harin Fernando – Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakkural
4. ‘A Place of One’s Own – A Beautiful Life’: Rs. 1,500 million allocated for housing programme for low-income-earning families: 31,000 houses nationwide; cheques to be awarded to beneficiaries of 13 districts tomorrow – Dinamina, Thinakaran
5. The state employee pension that was cancelled under Ranil Wickremesinghe, returns: appointment letters of those who joined the state service after 2016 to be amended – Dinamina, Thinakaran
[/paywall]