25 February 2026 | Vol. 12, #36

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: Government acknowledges quality issues in imported coal; announces it will not be withdrawn from use | Construction of Jaffna International Cricket Stadium ordered to halt; CEA issues directive to Sri Lanka Cricket | Construction will not be halted; government firm on stadium project | Do not undermine Maithree’s  achievements, women’s rights activists issue joint statement

Thinakaran: Construction of the Jaffna International Sports Stadium will never be halted; work to proceed with the cooperation of ministries and institutions, with increased attention to environmental concerns | Ayodhya Nageshwarnath temple priest visits Jaffna | Annual feast of St. Anthony’s Church at Katchatheevu | Blocking of Namal’s speech a major setback to Rajapaksa politics

Thinakkural: Alleged conspiracy to annex 3 Tamil villages in Batticaloa to Sinhalese areas; MP Shanakiyan slams “demographic engineering” | Sajith–Ranil alliance to contest jointly in the provincial council elections | Namal addressing [the Union] is a threat to security: Oxford Union

Thamilan: What transpired in the coal import? Special committee appointed for investigation, announces Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa | Electricity tariff revision; public consultation commences | Substandard coal poses a risk to the Lakvijaya Power Plant, warns Dr Vidura Ralapanawa | Debate on Sri Lanka in Norway scheduled for tomorrow

Lankadeepa: Imposing the emergency law and curfew during the Aragalaya: No AG for Gotabaya Rajapaksa: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s stance informed through an affidavit | “An expert committee to investigate the substandard coal issue” – Minister Nalinda Jayatissa; a group of professors and lecturers of the Moratuwa and Jayewardenepura universities, also among them 

Divaina: Former IP who was being searched [wanted] in connection with the Weligama shooting, caught at the airport 

Mawbima: 12,301 houses in high-risk areas are unsuitable to be residences – National Building Research Organisation | The train [railway line] that was halted by Ditwah to be further delayed – Station Masters announce

Dinamina: 500,000 accumulated driving licences printed: 400,000 posted – Department of Motor Traffic | The Weligama shooting: former OIC of the CCD arrested | The coal tender issue: committee appointed to study issue | Akuregoda murderers caught through an international technical operation

Aruna: There is no ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’: revealed at the Committee on Public Finance

Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

Ban on military businesses in Point Pedro; council passes resolution

Thinakkural

The Point Pedro Pradeshiya Sabha passed a resolution to ban all commercial activities operated by the military within its jurisdictional limits.

During a session held yesterday (24th), the council asserted that military-run businesses, such as canteens and holiday homes, operate without paying local taxes and negatively impact the livelihoods of civilian traders.

Members also expressed concern regarding the proximity of some establishments to schools and their impact on local youth.

Furthermore, the council passed resolutions calling for the immediate repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the withdrawal of the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill.

Of the 19 members present, 15 voted in favour of the resolutions, while four NPP members abstained.

Special debate on Sri Lanka’s current situation in the Norwegian parliament

Virakesari, Thamilan

A special interpellation debate on the current situation in Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held in the Norwegian parliament tomorrow (26).

The proposal for this debate was brought forward by Khamshajiny Gunaratnam, a Norwegian Labour Party MP of Sri Lankan origin, and will feature an address by the Norwegian foreign minister.

The discussion follows the completion of one year since the presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections in Sri Lanka.

It aims to address the progress made regarding governance, democratic reforms, and anti-corruption measures, alongside local and international expectations.

Special focus will also be placed on the current human rights situation, issues affecting ethnic and religious minorities, militarisation, accountability, and reconciliation.

Gunaratnam noted that the debate intends to foster an international dialogue to ensure democratic principles and long-term stability in Sri Lanka.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

Customs officers protest with black armbands

Lankadeepa, Divaina

The Customs Trade Union Alliance launched a trade union action starting yesterday (24th), citing several unresolved requests, including promotions, that have been delayed for six years.

The union stated that the government authorities have not provided any concrete solutions for these issues despite them being raised on numerous occasions.

Accordingly, Customs officers have decided to wear black armbands while performing their duties at all Customs offices islandwide.

If they cannot protect public security, the minister and IGP must resign – Mahajana Handa Organisation

Mawbima, Aruna

The Mahajana Handa (People’s Voice) Organisation, a collective of opposition political parties, states that as the primary responsibility of a government is to provide security to the people, the Minister of Public Security and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) must immediately and unconditionally resign from their positions, taking responsibility for the failure to provide public security.

The organisation points out that at a time when public security has fallen into such risk, the resignation of the subject minister would demonstrate accountability in a democratic society.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS