DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Do not purchase more fuel than necessary” — CPC Chairperson | “Fuel price increase is for uninterrupted supply; risk of private companies stopping imports” — Government says Thinakaran: Middle East crisis; Economic monitoring committee to examine impacts on the country; Government observes international market fluctuations; Cabinet approves president’s proposal | Higher education loan facilities for 7,000 students | “Use fuel as sparingly as possible” — CPC Chairperson emphasises |
Thinakkural: Repercussions of the Middle East war; Fuel prices soar in Sri Lanka; Increase in transport fares and hoarding of essential goods begin; The country heads toward a crisis once again | Iran relentlessly attacks Gulf nations; Destruction increases due to cluster bombs; Israel, US bases, and energy infrastructure are the targets Thamilan: The country is in a critical situation; Do not waste fuel! Request from the Petroleum Corporation; Urging to act responsibly | “There is no room for talks with America anymore!” — Iranian Government announcement | “We will provide unshakable support to Iran” — Russian President Vladimir Putin |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The fuel crisis worsens: demands to increase prices of bus [tickets], three-wheeler and school van [fares]: demand [to increase transport fee] for containers: “bus ticket prices will not be increased” – National Transport Commission | Litro gas increased by Rs. 300: the new price of a 12 kg cylinder is Rs. 3,990: A 5 kg cylinder increased by Rs. 120 Divaina: A Sri Lanka-bound trawler carrying weapons and drugs caught in international waters: a group of Sri Lankan representatives apprehended from the South | Increased the price of oil in order to manage the oil reserves: if the price of fuel in the global market decreases, the price will be reduced before the end of the month — CEYPETCO
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Dinamina: “The relief granted to the people will not be halted in the face of global crises: the economy is being managed to face future crises; action is being taken to ensure minimum pressure on the people” — Minister Nalinda Jayatissa | Fuel crisis rattles Asia: Price controls imposed in South Korea after 30 years; Office operations in the Philippines restricted to four days a week; Vietnam raises fuel prices for the second time in 3 days; Universities in Bangladesh closed; Singapore focuses on work-from-home system Aruna: Thuggery of [vehicle] seizers across the country again: Police circular not being observed; Lives of vehicle owners also in danger – Joint Association of Leasing and Debt Instalment Payers Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Newswire
“Engine failure in Iranian ship; trouble in reaching Trincomalee” — says Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the government is prepared to hand over the bodies of individuals recovered from the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena if a formal request is made by the Iranian government.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday (10th), he clarified that the vessel, which was reportedly attacked by the US, is currently located 9 nautical miles from the Sri Lankan coast.
Although the Navy intended to tow the ship to the Trincomalee Harbour, engine failure has complicated the process.
Higher education loan facilities for 7,000 students
Thinakaran The government has decided to include the National Savings Bank (NSB) in the interest-free student loan scheme. A proposal for this initiative was submitted to the cabinet by the prime minister, in her capacity as the minister of education, higher education, and vocational education. Cabinet approval was granted during a meeting held on Monday (9th), chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. These loans are to be provided for students who have passed the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) examination but did not secure an opportunity in state universities, with the aim of pursuing studies in private higher education institutions. |
“Have the fuel stocks that were held for 45 days finished?” — Namal questions regarding the price increaseThinakkural
SLPP National Organiser MP Namal Rajapaksa criticised the government for increasing fuel prices despite earlier assurances that the country held sufficient stocks for 45 days. Speaking at the party headquarters, he stated that raising domestic prices while global oil prices are declining is “beyond logic.” Rajapaksa further alleged that the government has placed this financial burden on the public to compensate for losses caused by massive corruption and irregularities in coal procurement. |
“Fuel price hike is the government’s ‘mafia’ work” — Opposition strongly alleges
Thinakkural SJB MP S.M. Marikkar accused the government of publicly robbing people’s money by increasing fuel prices despite recent assurances regarding existing stocks. Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday (10th), he noted that the president had previously informed parliament that the country held petrol stocks for 26 days and diesel for 30 days. Marikkar claimed it was unjust to increase the price of diesel by Rs. 22 and 92-octane petrol by Rs. 24 while global crude oil prices are declining. He further alleged that the price hike is a conspiracy to earn profits by selling old stocks at higher rates. |
Increase in payment for houses under constructionThinakaran The government has decided to increase the payments provided for the construction of houses in alternative locations for people living in landslide-affected and high-risk areas. Although it was previously decided to provide Rs. 1.6 million per house, the government has now resolved to increase this amount to Rs. 2.5 million. Cabinet approval has been granted for this proposal, which was submitted by the president in his capacity as the minister of defence. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: South China Morning Post
Fuel crisis rattles Asia: Price controls imposed in South Korea after 30 years; Office operations in the Philippines restricted to four days a week; Vietnam raises fuel prices for the second time in 3 days; Universities in Bangladesh closed; Singapore focuses on work-from-home system
Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Aruna
The global oil crisis has rattled Asia following Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern energy infrastructure and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, forcing nations to implement drastic emergency measures.
South Korea imposed fuel price controls for the first time in 30 years to stabilise its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern imports, while the Philippines raised petrol and diesel prices, restricting office work to four days a week.
Vietnam hiked fuel prices twice within three days, and Thailand warned that its 15-day price stabilisation plan is now at risk due to the worsening situation.
To manage surging electricity costs and fuel queues, Bangladesh and Pakistan closed universities, with Bangladesh also introducing fuel rationing.
Meanwhile, Singapore has shifted focus toward a work-from-home system to mitigate the energy impact across the region.
Allegations for laundering money amounting to Rs. 15 million: indictments issued against Yoshitha RajapaksaLankadeepa, Divaina IYoshitha Rajapaksa, the youngest son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, was served with indictments at the Homagama High Court yesterday (10th) over money laundering charges involving Rs. 15 million. The Court ordered the release of Rajapaksa on two cash bails of Rs. 200,000 each and two personal bails of Rs. 5 million each. A foreign travel ban will take effect on March 19, and Rajapaksa must report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) twice a month. |
Agreements made to answer 62 out of the 64 demands put forth by the CEB strike – Directors of the four main companies request the staff to continue to report to workDinamina The boards of directors of four new electricity companies have reached an agreement to resolve 62 out of 64 demands presented by employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) who are currently engaged in a trade union strike action. This consensus was reached during a meeting held yesterday (10th) between union representatives and the boards of the successor entities established following the recent restructuring of the CEB. The chairpersons of four companies issued an appeal to the employees to resume duties immediately to minimise public inconvenience. They further agreed that if workers return to their posts, a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be facilitated to discuss and find solutions for the remaining two unresolved demands. |
“Let’s work together to bring a new culture to the destroyed SLTB” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says while granting appointment letters to 541 drivers and conductors
Dinamina
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called for the establishment of a new culture within the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to replace the “thuggish power” of past political authorities that led to the institution’s decline.
Speaking at an appointment ceremony held at Temple Trees yesterday (10th), President Dissanayake emphasised that the government is currently formulating a national policy to create a safe, efficient, and reliable public transport system.
The president symbolically presented appointment letters to 541 new recruits, including 199 drivers and 342 conductors representing all districts.
He noted that while the transition to a high-quality bus fleet and the removal of substandard vehicles cannot happen overnight, the government is committed to a planned, multi-year transformation.
Dissanayake highlighted that a strong SLTB is essential to reducing household transport costs, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
The fuel crisis worsens: demands to increase prices of bus [tickets], three-wheeler and school van [fares]: demand [to increase transport fee] for containers: “bus ticket prices will not be increased” – National Transport Commission | Increased the price of oil in order to manage the oil reserves: “if the price of fuel in the global market decreases, the price will be reduced before the end of the month” — CEYPETCO
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Amid the worsening fuel crisis, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) and Lanka IOC increased fuel prices across all categories effective from midnight on March 9, 2026.
CEYPETCO officials stated the hike was necessary to manage reserves and prevent hoarding, assuring that local prices would be reduced before the end of the month if global market rates decline.
The price surge has triggered immediate demands for fare hikes across the transport sector, specifically for three-wheelers and containers.
Lalith Dharmawardena, President of the All Island School Children Transport Association, announced a 5% increase in school van fees effective from March 10, 2026, noting that the increase in diesel prices made the adjustment unavoidable.
In contrast, both the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and the National Transport Commission (NTC) confirmed that public bus fares will remain unchanged for the time being.
NTC Director General Dr Nilan Miranda explained that while the Middle Eastern situation has impacted fuel costs, the current diesel price increase does not meet the necessary percentage threshold required to trigger a formal revision of the bus fare structure.
Miranda emphasised that existing rates will be maintained to minimise the economic pressure on the public.
“The relief granted to the people will not be halted in the face of global crises: the economy is being managed to face future crises; action is being taken to ensure minimum pressure on the people” — Minister Nalinda Jayatissa
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister of Health and Mass Media, Nalinda Jayatissa, announced that the government will not cut public sector salaries or existing welfare benefits despite the economic challenges posed by the conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Department of Government Information yesterday (10th), Jayatissa emphasised that while other nations are adopting measures or work-from-home shifts, Sri Lanka remains committed to maintaining its current financial support systems.
He categorised the protected relief measures as including Aswesuma payments, cultivation subsidies, and fisheries relief, as well as assistance for those affected by recent cyclonic weather and funding for the essential health and education sectors.
Addressing the recent fuel price hike, Jayatissa explained the decision was a strategic move to manage the economy and minimise the long-term burden on citizens, assuring that the government is implementing a stable methodology to ensure no sector collapses while aiming to face future global developments with minimal pressure on the public.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Former DIG of the CID Prasad Ranasinghe arrested – Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
2. “The war will end soon” — Global fuel prices decrease with Trump’s statement | Trump warns of 20-fold attack on Iran | Sinking Iranian naval ships is safest; Trump says military thought – Divaina, Virakesari, Thamilan
3. A Sri Lanka-bound trawler carrying weapons and drugs caught in international waters: a group of Sri Lankan representatives apprehended from the South – Divaina, Virakesari
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