DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Former Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay arrested; Accused of planning the Easter Sunday attacks: Intensive interrogation under 72-hour detention | “Do not play with national security” – Prof. Rohan [Gunaratna] warns | “Do not weaken the armed forces” – Ali Sabry warns Thinakaran: Proposed electricity tariff revision; Deadline for public comments until March 18 | Former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay arrested | 60th Anniversary of the World Buddhist Sangha Council (WBSC) in Sri Lanka; Special events from Nov 28 to Dec 2 |
Thinakkural: Retired Major General Suresh Sallay suddenly arrested in connection with Easter Sunday attacks; Information from the DIG in charge of the Western Province suggests the mastermind may also be identified | “Tamils face mass displacement due to Kivul Oya project” – Border villagers express deep concern | 10,821 acres of land requested from Forest Department in Kilinochchi; only 1,088 acres approved for release! Thamilan: Easter Sunday attack investigation; Suresh Sallay arrested! Action under Prevention of Terrorism Act; 72-hour detention | “Sallay’s arrest is a farce” – Ali Sabry lashes out during court proceedings |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Former chief of Intelligence detained for three days over the Easter Sunday attack: “there is clear evidence” – Western Province SDIG | Interviews for 20 high-level vacancies in the health sector cancelled; interviews for the post of Deputy Director General were cancelled for the fifth time; the Public Service Commission has changed [required] qualifications from time to time Divaina: Former chief of Intelligence Sallay, who was arrested over the Easter Sunday attack, detained for 72 hours; questioning commences at the CID Headquarters | Daisy Achchi [Forrest] released from illegal assets case Mawbima: Former chief of Intelligence Suresh Sallay arrested based on investigations into the Easter Sunday attack: detained for 72 hours | Release the gold jewellery found at Easter Sunday attack suspect Ibrahim’s house – Fort Magistrate orders the CID; steps to be taken against the CID if order is not followed
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Dinamina: The Easter Sunday terror attack: former State Intelligence chief Suresh Sallay detained for 72 hours for questioning; “arrested based on evidence of the Easter Sunday attack” – Western Province SDIG
Aruna: Former chief of Intelligence Sallay questioned for 72 hours: computer and bank accounts to be investigated; investigations into whether Sallay knew about the attack and concealed it Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“A conspiracy behind Sallay’s arrest to divert attention from the coal scam!” – Gammanpila
Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural
Former MP Udaya Gammanpila claimed that the arrest of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay “was a move to satisfy supporters of the LTTE.”
Speaking after a discussion with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo yesterday (25th), the PHU leader stated that Sallay had worked dedicatedly to destroy the LTTE and ensure national security.
He alleged that the government arrested Sallay and Pillayan to show progress regarding the Easter Sunday attacks before April 21, despite investigating officers not questioning Pillayan about the bombings.
Gammanpila further noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s initial plans to arrest them were delayed by the report from the Imam committee appointed by the former president.
Thinakkural and Thamilan highlight him, saying that “the arrest was moved forward to divert public attention from coal fraud allegations currently being levelled against the government.”
“Tamils face mass displacement due to Kivul Oya project” – Border villagers express deep concern
Thinakkural Residents of border villages in Mullaitivu stated that if the Kivul Oya project is implemented, it will become useless for them to live in their villages, potentially forcing a mass migration. During a discussion titled ‘Is Kivul Oya a Sign of Danger?’ held yesterday (25th), villagers claimed that their ancestral farmlands were seized through the Mahaweli (L) zone. They highlighted that the Mahaweli Authority obstructs local development and that the proposed electric fences under the project would severely impact their livestock-based livelihoods. Furthermore, residents alleged that the government collected their land permits under false pretences and has failed to return them, viewing it as a deliberate attempt to displace them from their lands. |
Amnesty International condemns Namal’s statementThinakaran
Amnesty International South Asia Researcher Thyagi Ruwanpathirana issued a strong condemnation of remarks made by SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, who claimed his freedom of speech was suppressed after being denied permission to speak at Oxford and Cambridge universities. In a post on X, Ruwanpathirana noted that it is inappropriate for a member of a family linked to allegations of the killing and enforced disappearance of journalists to make such claims. She further asserted that MP Rajapaksa’s attempt to use this situation to incite racism in the South reflects the hardline political stance of his past. Ruwanpathirana’s critique emphasises that the MP is exploiting the incident for political gain rather than addressing genuine concerns regarding freedom of expression. |
UN urges the government to completely revise the new draft anti-terrorism law
Virakesari
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has urged the government to completely revise the newly proposed “Anti-Terrorism Act” (ATA) draft, noting that it contains several concerning provisions.
While welcoming the removal of clauses allowing confessions made to police as admissible evidence, the OHCHR highlighted that the draft still includes broad definitions of “terrorism” that could suppress freedom of expression and assembly.
The report warned that the proposed law grants excessive powers to the president and allows for arrests and prolonged detention without proper judicial oversight, increasing the risk of torture and enforced disappearances.
Consequently, the UN body called for the immediate repeal of the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) of 1979 or a moratorium on its use until a framework meeting international standards is established.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Second murderer apprehended with regard to the murder of the lawyer, is involved in 20 other murders
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
The police, on Tuesday (24th), arrested the second shooter sought in connection with the fatal shooting of lawyer Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his spouse in Akuregoda.
The suspect was apprehended while hiding at a residence in the Nakkala area of Monaragala.
According to police, the shooter is a highly skilled and trusted associate of the overseas-based organised criminal known as Karandeniye Sudda and is reportedly linked to 10-20 other murders.
The operation to capture the shooter and two other suspects at a house in Nakkala was launched following a tip-off provided by a resident to the 119 police emergency unit and the Monaragala Police OIC.
Release the property found at Easter Sunday attack suspect Ibrahim’s house – Fort Magistrate orders the CID; steps to be taken against the CID if order is not followedDivaina, Mawbima, Aruna Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara yesterday (25th) ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to release the gold, gemstones and other property seized by the CID from a residence in the Mahawila Gardens housing scheme in Dematagoda, linked to a suspect in the Easter Sunday attacks case. The items in question had been taken into custody from the residence of the second suspect in the case related to the series of bombings, Ibrahim Ilham Ahmed. Accordingly, the Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered the CID to release the properties to Iflal Ahmed, the brother of the suspect, within one week. |
Sri Lanka refrains from voting on proposal related to the Russian – Ukrainian warDinamina Sri Lanka refrained from voting on a resolution submitted to the United Nations General Assembly regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine. The resolution called for an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire between the two nations. In addition to Sri Lanka and India, 50 other countries also abstained from voting on the resolution. |
“Digital IDs [to be issued] at the end of this year” – Deputy Minister of Digital Economy
Dinamina
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne announced that all preparations are in place to issue a digital identity card to the public by late this year, marking a milestone in the digitalisation of Sri Lanka’s public service.
This digital ID is expected to verify individual identity with 100% accuracy.
Weeraratne made these remarks yesterday (25th) during a media briefing at the Department of Government Information regarding Sri Lanka’s digital transformation and development projects planned for 2026.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
Former chief of Intelligence Sallay, who was arrested over the Easter Sunday attack case, detained for 72 hours; questioning commences at the CID Headquarters
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Former head of the State Intelligence Service, Retired Major General Suresh Sallay, was arrested yesterday (25th) in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.
Sallay is currently being detained and questioned at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under a 72‑hour detention order.
Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province, Sajeewa Medawatta, stated that Suresh Sallay was arrested based on evidence regarding the Easter Sunday attack.
Daisy Forrest released from illegal assets case: case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa to continue
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The Colombo High Court yesterday (25th) released Daisy Forrest, alias Daisy Achchi, a relative of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, from the money laundering case against her.
The decision followed a psychiatric report from the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer, which led Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara to inform the court that Forrest is mentally unfit to stand trial.
While the High Court Judge ordered her discharge based on these medical findings, the prosecution stressed that it will continue its case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa under an amended indictment.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “The arrest of Sallay, who dismantled the Tigers’ intelligence network and targeted Thamilselvan, is concerning” – Former Minister Ali Sabry expresses regret – Aruna, Thamilan, Virakesari, Thinakkural
2. 21 trade unions of the CEB to launch strike today for six hours – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Thamilan
4. “A new law to control organised crime” – Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala – Mawbima, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
5. Court dismisses two Avant Garde petitions – Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Thamilan
6. Leaders of the Opposition’s Mahajana Handa meet Ranil Wickremesinghe – Lankadeepa, Virakesari, Thamilan
7. Indian high commissioner meets with Ranil Wickremesinghe urgently – Aruna, Virakesari
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