DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Escalation of conflict in the Middle East; Heavy attacks on Iranian oil storage facilities and refineries; Iran continues retaliatory strikes against Gulf nations | “The goal is to transform Sri Lanka into the most humanitarian nation in the world” — President states at the Women’s Day celebration | “We respect Sri Lanka’s sovereignty” — US State Department spokesperson’s announcement regarding the Iranian ship and navy personnel issue Thinakaran: “The confidence of women is the best criterion for evaluating a government; we will transform Sri Lanka into a country where every woman and girl can live with confidence” — President |
Thinakkural: Tehran turned into a ‘river of fire’ due to the horrific attacks by the US and Israel! As oil flows like a river throughout that region, “balls of fire” are seen everywhere | The US has backed down regarding Sri Lanka; it says it respects sovereignty | Submarine attack in the Galle sea; Trump in crisis! Thamilan: Where are our children who were handed over to the army? Protest in Mullaitivu! | Attacks rocking Iran; death toll surpasses 1,400! | “We can intensely conduct the war for another 6 months” — Announcement from Iran |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: No fuel shortage; prices to be revised if the war continues? Divaina: Navy seizes vessel with drugs worth Rs. 2.8 billion and 8,000 kg of fish; six sailors apprehended | “We respect Sri Lanka’s sovereignty regarding the Iranian ship,” says the United States
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Dinamina: Political patronage in contract allocations causes Rs. 2,000 million loss in North Central Provincial Council; former chief minister Peshala and former minister Duminda are responsible; 629 contracts of 42 roads given to one company Aruna: 100 bombs intended for terrorist activities seized Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: @kumanan93
Where are our children who were handed over to the army? Protest in Mullaitivu!
Thinakkural, Thamilan
The relatives of the forcibly disappeared held a massive protest on Sunday (8th) at the Vadduvakal Bridge in Mullaitivu, demanding to know the whereabouts of loved ones handed over to the military.
Coinciding with International Women’s Day, which the protesters marked as a ‘day of mourning,’ the demonstration commemorated nine years since their continuous struggle began outside the Mullaitivu District Secretariat.
Protesters carried placards urging the international community to refer perpetrators of genocide to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and rejected domestic legal mechanisms.
The march, which included MP T. Ravikaran and former Jaffna Mayor V. Manivannan, proceeded from Vadduvakal Bridge to Selvapuram, the site where many relatives were last seen being handed over to security forces.
A memorandum detailing their demands was read at the conclusion of the event and is to be forwarded to the UN Commissioner.
“Election in 2026 if report submitted within 3 months” — Election Commission
Virakesari EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake stated that the provincial council (PC) elections could be held within this year if the newly appointed Special Committee submits its report on the electoral system within three months. The committee is tasked with determining whether to conduct the polls under the old proportional representation system or the new mixed electoral system introduced by Act No. 17 of 2017. Rathnayake noted that the delimitation process required for the mixed system remains incomplete, leaving all PCs currently without elected representatives. The EC had previously recommended a temporary return to the proportional representation system to avoid further delays caused by technical and delimitation issues. If the committee presents its recommendations by May, the EC is prepared to initiate the election process immediately under the prevailing legal framework. |
“10 perches of land should be provided to families living in estates” — Tamil Progressive AllianceThinakaran
The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) urged that legal action be taken to ensure the land rights of at least 10 perches for all families living in plantations. It was emphasised that every married couple, whether employed in the plantations or not, should be considered a family and granted these rights. This was among the 11-point demands presented at the TPA livelihood conference held recently in Kotagala. The alliance noted that housing projects under Indo-Lanka assistance schemes should be constructed on these lands, while priority assistance should be provided to those wishing to build houses using their own funds. |
“A government that has won the people’s trust has emerged in Sri Lanka” — Kristalina Georgieva states
Virakesari IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated that a government trusted by the people has emerged in Sri Lanka. Speaking at a recent international conference in Thailand, she shared that during her visits to various parts of the country, citizens consistently urged her to assist the nation. She recounted an experience at the Katunayake airport where a flight attendant thanked the IMF for its support and specifically requested continued aid for the current government. Georgieva interpreted these interactions as a clear sign of the public’s hope and confidence in the government’s ability to improve the country’s situation. Additionally, she emphasised that the benefits of advancing technology must reach all citizens rather than being restricted to a single group. |
Explosion at the US Embassy in NorwayThinakaran, Virakesari The US Embassy in Oslo, Norway, was attacked yesterday (8th) by unidentified individuals, resulting in building damage but no injuries. Police suspect the incident was an act of anti-American protest, while military experts suggest it indicates that Iran is not isolated despite US-Israel military cooperation. Amidst these tensions, the US has expressed suspicions regarding the raw materials used in Iranian retaliatory weaponry. The Arab League is scheduled to meet urgently tomorrow to discuss contemporary challenges and the future trajectory of the expanding Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, reports indicate growing friction between the Pentagon and the White House regarding the ongoing Gulf conflicts. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ministry of Trade Website
“If fuel and gas supply decreases, then a price increase cannot be avoided” – Samarasinghe
Divaina
Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe says a rise in fuel and gas prices would be unavoidable if global supplies decline due to tensions in the Middle East.
He noted that instability in the region affects the entire world, particularly countries that rely on shipping to import essential goods.
As a result, he warned that the prices of essential items in Sri Lanka could also increase if supply disruptions occur.
“We commend the humanitarian assistance provided for Iranian sailors” – Deputy prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri ChaptersDinamina Deputy prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera and Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thera praised the Sri Lankan Government’s decision to provide humanitarian assistance to the crews of two Iranian vessels in line with international conventions. The prelates stressed the importance of maintaining neutrality amid global conflicts, warning against supporting any party involved, and urged the nation to act with foresight guided by the Buddha’s ‘Middle Path’ in navigating the ongoing Middle East crisis. |
Political patronage in contract allocations incurs losses in North Central Provincial CouncilDinamina The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has reported that political patronage in contract allocations caused a loss of Rs. 2,000 million in the North Central Provincial Council. COPA found that 629 contracts for 42 roads were given to a single company. The committee noted that 53 roads damaged during the 2011 floods were rehabilitated using an additional estimate of Rs. 1.17 billion, but a 2013 investigation by engineers from the University of Peradeniya found that construction standards had not been met, leading to the suspension of payments to contractors. COPA described the episode as one of the most serious instances of corruption in recent road development in Sri Lanka. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Lanka News Web
“We will make Sri Lanka the most humane country in the world” – President
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that his vision is to make Sri Lanka a country recognised globally for prioritising humanity above all else.
Speaking at an International Women’s Day event in Colombo yesterday (8th), the president said Sri Lanka aims to send a strong message to the international community that it will stand at the forefront of humanitarian values, particularly during times of global conflict and war.
He also emphasised that women and children will play a central role in national policy as the government works to build a state that treats all citizens with equality and compassion.
The president added that future national plans will specifically address the challenges women face because of their gender, noting that tackling these issues is essential for the country’s overall progress.
“We respect Sri Lanka’s sovereignty regarding the Iranian ship” – United States
LDivaina, Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran
The United States says it respects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in handling the situation involving the Iranian warship IRIS Bushehr and its crew.
A spokesperson for the United States Department of State stated that the final decision regarding the vessel, its crew, and the rescued Iranian sailors lies entirely with Sri Lanka.
The spokesperson added that any action taken will be determined by Sri Lanka in accordance with its domestic laws and international legal obligations.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. “CPC to implement emergency steps to mitigate the impact of fuel price hike” – Chairperson of CPC – Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
2. “Monitor drone activity as we suspect a terrorist attack” – IGP orders police – Aruna, Virakesari
3. “We will grant Iranian sailors a one-month temporary visa” – Minister of Public Security – Aruna, Virakesari
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