DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Commit yourselves to a peaceful world; President Anura makes an open appeal to the international community; focus on handling domestic crises; we cannot determine the Middle East situation Thinakaran: “Parties involved in the conflict must commit to restoring peace; we have requested a report from the Central Bank on the impact of the clashes; indirect consequences will be addressed” – President delivers special address in Parliament explaining the Middle East situation | “Hold prayers in churches for the Middle East war to end” – Pope’s request to priests |
Thinakkural: Iran continues intensive attacks on Israeli and American positions; Americans advised to leave | US and Israel: 1,039 attacks across 153 cities! 787 Iranians killed | “Trump is a Satan! Peace in the world has vanished” – Kariapper | “While Gulf nations are engulfed in flames, Anura’s true colours are exposed; they are opportunists” – Mujibur Rahman MP | “Middle East war situation: Sri Lanka cannot escape the impact; appropriate action must be taken” – President Anura Thamilan: “America’s retaliation will be delivered soon” – Trump threatens | Death toll skyrocketing in Iran! Strait of Hormuz closed; oil prices may rise due to Iran’s action |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Air travel obstructed: 10,000 tourists stranded in Sri Lanka: visa extended for 14 days; most tourists are from Israel; air travel to Pakistan halted | Security risk: American citizens in 14 Middle Eastern countries are being immediately repatriated: US embassy in Kuwait closed; Americans in Israel provided buses to travel to Egypt: war fatalities surpass 787 Divaina: US and Israel continue to attack Iran through land and sea for the fourth day: Strait of Hormuz closed: 250 fuel vessels stuck: “ships will be set ablaze if attempts are made to move” — Iran growls; the largest gas exporter in the world, Qatar LNG halts production: Ali Khamenei’s death was planned by observing traffic cameras in Tehran; Americans living in the Middle East asked to evacuate Mawbima: US and Israel continue to attack Iran through land and sea for the fourth day: Strait of Hormuz closed: 250 fuel vessels stuck: “ships will be set ablaze if attempts are made to move” — Iran growls; the largest gas exporter in the world, Qatar LNG halts production: Ali Khamenei’s death was planned by observing traffic cameras in Tehran; Americans living in the Middle East asked to evacuate
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Dinamina: “All parties involved in the war will soon commit to peace; we are prepared for the worst, although we are hoping for the best; government takes responsibility for providing essential services; long-term plans for the crisis; fuel stocks will be well managed” – President in Parliament Aruna: “Risk of losing USD 10 million weekly due to the non-arrival of tourists; the highest turnout of tourists in the country’s history was expected in March” – Deputy Minister of Tourism Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“What is the situation in the North and East?” – Asks visiting Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister
Thinakkural
ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran and MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam met with Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Kravik and Ambassador May-Elin Stener to discuss the current political situation in Sri Lanka.
MP Rasamanickam noted that the discussion focused on challenges in the North and East, democratic processes, and the necessity of a sustainable political solution.
Key issues raised included post-war accountability, justice for victims, and the importance of constitutional reforms to safeguard the political rights of the Tamil people.
The representatives also explored future cooperation with Norway to promote human rights, good governance, and democratic values.
The assassination of Ali Khamenei is a massive blow to the sovereignty of nations; ACMC pledges full support for Iran’s integrity
Thinakaran The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) strongly condemned the imperialist attacks on Iran and expressed full support for the territorial integrity of Iran and other Middle Eastern nations. In a statement, the party noted that the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has caused deep shock and offered heartfelt condolences to the Iranian people. |
“Trump is a Satan!” – Kariapper lashes out | “Opportunistic president!” – MP Mujibur slams AnuraThinakkural, Thamilan
Addressing parliament yesterday (3rd), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MP Nizam Kariapper condemned US President Donald Trump as a threat to global peace. He described President Trump and the leadership in Israel as major and minor evils responsible for the assassination of the Iranian leadership in violation of international law. Kariapper expressed disappointment that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the government have not issued a single word of condemnation against these actions, claiming that Muslim voters who supported the current administration now feel ashamed. Meanwhile, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman accused President Dissanayake of being a “tactful opportunist” for failing to condemn US and Israeli actions in the Middle East. Rahman noted that while the JVP-led movement previously held strong anti-imperialist stances and protested outside the US embassy, the President has now remained silent on the illegal assassination of Iran’s spiritual leader. |
“What is Sri Lanka’s stance on the Middle East war?” – Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka seeks clarification
Thamilan The Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alireza Delkhosh, stated that Sri Lanka must clearly articulate its position regarding the attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. He emphasised that while Sri Lanka is a neutral country, such neutrality should not translate into silence when international laws are breached, and civilian infrastructure is targeted. Delkhosh noted that Iran is acting in self-defence and is prepared for a prolonged conflict if necessary, though it did not initiate the war. He further highlighted that there are currently no barriers to the tea trade between the two nations and urged neighbouring Islamic countries to prevent terrorist activities within their borders. |
“Suresh Sallay is more important than the Bishops!” – MP Chamara Sampath declaresThinakaran, Thamilan New Democratic Front (NDF) MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake stated in parliament yesterday (3rd) that individuals like Suresh Sallay, who served during the war, are more important to the country than members of the clergy. He argued that Iran’s spiritual leader was killed because their intelligence services were weak, whereas Sri Lanka won its war due to a strong intelligence apparatus. He specifically defended Sallay’s role in dividing the LTTE leadership and questioned the ongoing investigations into his arrest, noting that other officials present during the Easter attacks now hold high positions due to political affiliations. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: SriLankan Airlines
Air travel obstructed: 10,000 tourists stranded in Sri Lanka: visa extended for 14 days; most tourists are from Israel; air travel to Pakistan halted
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna
The escalating conflict in the Middle East has severely disrupted air travel, leading to the cancellation of 205 flights at Bandaranaike International Airport, including 107 arrivals and 98 departures.
Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunatilaka, confirmed that these measures were taken by regional civil aviation authorities and airlines yesterday (3rd).
While Oman and Saudi Arabia have begun reopening their airspace to some carriers, travel to Pakistan remains halted.
The disruption has left approximately 10,000 tourists, a majority of whom are from Israel, stranded in Sri Lanka. In response, authorities have extended their visas for 14 days and have made arrangements to rebook or issue new flight tickets for stranded foreign tourists without any additional charges.
To assist those currently in the country, the government is arranging “special flights” to transport tourists to destinations such as England, Germany, and France via alternative routes that bypass the Middle East conflict zone.
Minister Karunatilaka noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to facilitate the arrival of a large number of foreign tourists currently waiting in other countries to travel to Sri Lanka.
Additionally, the minister stated that steps are being taken to repatriate Sri Lankan workers who have been caught amidst the war in the Middle East.
“Risk of losing USD 10 million weekly due to the non-arrival of tourists; the highest turnout of tourists in the country’s history was expected in March” – Deputy Minister of TourismMawbima, Aruna Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe stated that the country will lose between USD 10 and 12 million per week in the tourism industry, as the expected target for tourist arrivals in March cannot be met due to the war situation in the Middle East. The Deputy Minister made the statement while answering several questions from journalists in Colombo yesterday (3rd). He noted that the highest number of tourists in the history of the country was expected in March, with an anticipation of 300,000 tourists arriving in Sri Lanka; however, since tourists from Europe arrive via the Middle East, the closure of airports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar has created difficulties for tourists to reach the country. |
Causing a Rs. 10 million loss to the government: Verdicts on four cases against Sarana Gunawardena on April 30Divaina, Dinamina The Colombo High Court yesterday (3rd) ordered the verdicts for four bribery cases filed against former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena to be delivered on April 30. Gunawardena is accused of causing a loss of over Rs. 10 million to the government by leasing 11 vehicles outside of proper procedures during his tenure as the Chairperson of the Development Lotteries Board. The charges allege that the defendant, while serving as the Chair of the Development Lotteries Board, caused a loss to the government by acquiring vehicles on a lease basis for values exceeding the spot cash price and outside of standard operating procedures. Accordingly, the cases have been filed against the accused under the charge of committing the offence of “corruption” as defined under Section 70 of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Act. |
President invites the Pope to visit Sri Lanka
Divaina, Dinamina
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has invited His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for a visit to Sri Lanka.
Leader of the House of Parliament Minister Bimal Rathnayake, who is on an official visit to Italy, met with the Under-Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Mihaita Blaj, at the Vatican and handed over the President’s official letter of invitation on Monday (2nd).
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: BBC
US and Israel continue to attack Iran through land and sea for the fourth day: Strait of Hormuz closed: 250 fuel vessels stuck: “ships will be set ablaze if attempts are made to move” — Iran growls; the largest gas exporter in the world, Qatar LNG halts production: Ali Khamenei’s death was planned by observing traffic cameras in Tehran; Americans living in the Middle East asked to evacuate
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The conflict between the United States and Israel and Iran continues as the US and Israel continue land and sea-based attacks against Iran for the fourth consecutive day.
Additionally, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has left 250 fuel vessels stranded, sparking a global energy crisis as Iran warns that any ships attempting to move will be set ablaze.
This blockade has forced Qatar Energy, the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, to halt production entirely.
With the primary transit route for global oil and gas supply severed, the international market faces a severe risk of skyrocketing fuel and gas prices.
On the ground, the United States and Israel continue coordinated land and sea attacks against Iran.
The attacks have claimed over 787 lives and resulted in the destruction of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Golestan Palace.
Additionally, the King Fahd Causeway, the bridge connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, has also been attacked.
Reports also indicate that the death of Ali Khamenei was orchestrated through the monitoring of traffic cameras in Tehran.
Amidst this deteriorating security, the United States has initiated the immediate repatriation of its citizens from 14 Middle Eastern countries.
The US Embassy in Kuwait has been officially closed, and Americans currently in Israel are being provided with buses to evacuate toward Egypt.
US officials have issued an urgent call for all Americans living in the Middle East to leave the region immediately as the conflict escalates.
“All parties involved in the war will soon commit to peace; we are prepared for the worst, although we are hoping for the best; government takes responsibility for providing essential services; long-term plans for the crisis; fuel stocks will be well managed” – President in Parliament
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that it is Sri Lanka’s expectation that all parties involved in the war will commit to peace very soon.
Pointing out that this situation could affect the world economy and the sustenance of people’s lives very adversely, the President stated that while the government expects the best, it is also preparing for the worst.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while making a special statement in Parliament yesterday (3rd).
The President pointed out that while preparing the necessary plans to face such crises in the long term, the government is also preparing short-term solutions, especially in terms of providing essential services required to face the crisis in a manner that does not cause hardship to the people.
He further stated that the government has been working on very good fuel management in accordance with the existing fuel storage facilities.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Embassies and religious places of worship [in Sri Lanka] to be provided with special security – Mawbima, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
2. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism sets up] Emergency Response Unit to resolve issues arising from the war in the Middle East – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran
3. “The brutal attack on Iran is wrong | The government must not fear America; it must condemn [the attacks]” — Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa – Lankadeepa, Thinakkural
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