DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Delays in oil tanker arrivals; I will not allow political instability to occur; people must cooperate; fluctuations in fuel prices are inevitable” — President | Rs. 10 billion worth cocaine seizure; Six suspects arrested | “Transport services will be restricted on Wednesdays; private sector should also follow the holiday procedure” — Cabinet Spokesperson | “Power cuts cannot be avoided” — Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody Thinakaran: “Sri Lanka will not take sides in Middle East conflicts; preparations made to continue work without affecting normalcy; economy in fuel and gas usage; decision to mitigate the impact of price hikes” — President | “Decisions to maintain normalcy without disruptions are in effect; Government also focuses on economic progress” — Nalinda Jayatissa | “If the crisis persists, electricity supply may also be restricted” — Minister Kumara Jayakody |
Thinakkural: “Use fuel economically and ensure uninterrupted supply of goods at reasonable prices” – President directs the committee monitoring the supply of essential commodities | “Wednesday holiday affects many; change it to Monday or Friday” — MP Imran | “Strict regulations to protect consumers” — Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe Thamilan: Government imposed new restrictions as a solution for the fuel shortage! International schools are also on holiday today; Special recommendations for learning activities; Restrictions on public transport | Minister of Energy warns of possible power cuts | China helps Iran and Lebanon |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: “Two oil vessels with 90,000 tonnes of oil are delayed: attempts are being made to reduce the oil levies; we are receiving the gas orders; will commit fully in order to overcome this challenge” — President states during special media briefing | Fuel issue: power cuts around the corner? — A hint from the Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody in parliament Divaina: The value of cocaine seized from Beruwala is Rs. 12 billion: the owner and son of the Devundara drug trawler caught: the skipper has been given Rs. 5 million; Parevi Suda has transported the goods from Devundara: Angoda Priyankara and ‘Dinuk’ behind the scheme
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Dinamina: “Government aims for continuous supply of electricity, gas, and fuel: secure fuel stocks available for essential services; measures taken to prevent food shortages; Wednesday holiday granted to maintain public service continuity” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says during special media briefing Aruna: “The lives of the public will not be disrupted: there is a shortage of fuel; a gas vessel will reach [Sri Lanka] soon; relief to be given to the health sector as well” – President Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: LNW
“Opposition parties should act in parliament by taking the Tamil Arasu Party as a model” – Bimal Rathnayake
Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Leader of the House Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated in parliament yesterday (17th) that the opposition should look to the ITAK as a role model for parliamentary conduct.
Speaking after a speech by ITAK MP Kugathasan, the minister commended ITAK members for delivering balanced and reasonable speeches that highlight both pros and cons.
He contrasted this with other opposition members, whom he accused of focusing solely on regaining lost power rather than on the country’s welfare.
Rathnayake further criticised some opposition figures for their hostile rhetoric and desperate political motives, suggesting they even seem to hope for external shocks to achieve their ends.
He concluded by reiterating that the opposition’s decorum and approach to criticism should emulate the constructive standard set by the ITAK.
“Boycott the president’s iftar event” — MP Nizam Kariapper calls
Thinakkural SLMC General Secretary MP Nizam Kariapper announced his decision to boycott the iftar ceremony hosted by the president tomorrow (19th). Speaking during a parliamentary debate yesterday (17th), Kariapper criticised the president and the foreign minister for failing to condemn the alleged illegal killing of Iranian leaders by the US and Mossad. He noted that the president’s recent speech on global conflicts omitted this incident and urged other opposition Muslim MPs to join the boycott as a sign of protest. |
The matter of raising black flags on Independence Day: Three Jaffna University students summoned for investigationThinakkural
The Jaffna District Crime Prevention Division has summoned three Jaffna University students, including the presidents of the University Student Union and the Arts Faculty Student Union, to provide statements regarding a protest held on Independence Day. On February 4, students reportedly lowered the national flag within the university premises and hoisted a black flag in its place as a mark of opposition. Police, who possess photographic and video evidence of the incident, previously recorded statements from the university’s vice-chancellor and registrar. Although the summons was dated the 13th and requested their appearance on the 16th, the students only received the letter from the registrar yesterday (17th). The investigation has sparked concerns among the student body regarding potential arrests. |
“We don’t know about the other provinces; hold the elections at least for the North and East” – Shanakiyan MP
Thinakkural ITAK Parliamentary Group Leader Shanakiyan Rasamanickam questioned the government’s commitment to holding provincial council elections during the first meeting of the special executive committee on Tuesday (17th). He noted that while the presidential and general elections proceed despite calls for reform, the provincial council elections remain stalled due to procedural excuses. Rasamanickam proposed that the government either pass his existing private member’s motion or introduce its own to conduct elections under the old system by June. He emphasised that while he is unsure of the stance of other provinces, these elections are a critical necessity for the North and East, where the absence of elected representatives has caused significant crises. |
Inspection at the Kurukkalmadam mass graveThinakaran A judicial team, including a magistrate and lawyers, conducted a special field visit to the Kurukkalmadam mass grave site yesterday (17th). The visit is linked to an ongoing case at the Kaluwanchikudy Magistrate’s Court regarding the 1990 abduction and murder of Hajj pilgrims by an armed group while they were returning from Colombo to Kalmunai. Attorney-at-Law Mubarak Muazzam, representing the affected parties, and the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the relevant police station were among those who inspected the site where the victims were reportedly buried. This site visit follows legal proceedings aimed at investigating the decade-old massacre of the pilgrims. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
The oil (availability) list of the country to the parliament; no ships although we have money now, no storage to store oil for more than 22 days: Diesel available till April 12, Super Diesel available till May 10, 92 Octane Petrol available till April 23, 95 Octane Petrol available till May 10 – Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody
Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Aruna
Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody made a special disclosure in parliament yesterday (17th) regarding the current oil stocks available in the country under normal consumption and the quantities that have been ordered.
The minister stated that the country has enough 92 Octane Petrol to last until April 23, while 95 Octane Petrol will last until May 10.
Jayakody further stated that the country has sufficient reserves of Diesel until April 12 and Super Diesel until May 10.
Answering a question asked under standing orders by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Jayakody stated that measures are being taken to obtain oil through alternative supply routes.
The minister also expressed that they are exploring the possibility of obtaining oil from companies that are not currently registered and that a committee has been appointed to carry out emergency purchases.
No OT or in lieu leave, even if one works on Wednesdays: duties of the government service on Wednesdays transferred to Tuesdays – a circular from the ministryLankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued a circular emphasising that if an officer is required to work on a Wednesday by the head of an institution, they shall not be entitled to holiday pay, overtime allowances, or compensatory leave. This directive follows the declaration of every Wednesday as a public holiday due to the prevailing fuel crisis. The circular further states that since Wednesday has been designated a holiday for public servants, duties previously performed on that day should be rescheduled for Tuesday. However, it notes that there is no restriction on a head of an institution calling an officer for duty on a Wednesday if necessary. |
“QR codes are working 95%” — Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga WeeraratneDinamina, Aruna Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne stated in parliament yesterday (17th) that the QR code system has achieved a 95% success rate to date. He added that approximately 5,094,566 individuals are currently utilising this system. Weeraratne further noted that 5,103,991 vehicles have been registered, alongside 439,997 new vehicle registrations. He stated that a large number of vehicles have been registered thus far, indicating that the public is becoming accustomed to the system. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“Two oil vessels with 90,000 MT of oil are delayed: attempts are being made to reduce the oil levies; we are receiving the gas orders; will commit fully in order to overcome this challenge” — President states during special media briefing
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
During a special media briefing held yesterday (17th), President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a sense of anxiety and uncertainty has developed among citizens regarding their ability to implement economic plans, send children to educational institutions, or secure daily essentials.
President Dissanayake added that this uncertainty is justifiable, considering that the public has recently faced troubling consequences during the current crises.
He stressed that these concerns are both understandable and reasonable.
Accordingly, addressing these issues, President Dissanayake announced that while two vessels carrying 90,000 metric tonnes of crude oil are delayed, the gas market remains stable.
Dissanayake noted that following a private supply disruption, the state-owned Litro Company imported 38,000 metric tonnes, with an additional 33,000 metric tonnes expected within two days.
He also commented on the health sector, stating that provisions ensure a six-week fuel reserve, maintaining a two-month buffer for essential services.
President Dissanayake added that to mitigate economic hardships caused by the prolonged wartime situation, a special committee led by Minister Upali Pannilage has been appointed to monitor livelihoods, insurance, and loan repayments.
President Dissanayake confirmed the food supply chain is secure for the festive period, with distribution managed through Sathosa and cooperatives supported by dedicated fuel allocations.
Further, President Dissanayake added that as a step to reduce national fuel consumption by 25%, the government has designated Wednesday as a public holiday.
While limited digital infrastructure necessitates in-person services, heads of institutions may authorise work-from-home arrangements where online systems are available.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa questioned for three hours
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (17th) to provide a statement regarding the personal allocation of houses under a specific housing project.
Although previously summoned to appear on February 13, the former president had requested an alternative date.
He spent several hours providing his statement before leaving the commission premises without addressing the media.
The investigation is part of an ongoing effort by the commission to expedite inquiries into bribery and corruption allegations.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Fuel issue: power cuts around the corner? — A hint from the Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody in parliament – Lankadeepa, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. A circular from the Ministry of Education: homework to be given to students for Wednesdays: ceremonies, vehicle parades and educational trips halted; no tuition classes allowed – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. “No public transport on Wednesdays” – Minister Nalinda Jayatissa – Divaina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
4. “The QR fuel quota will end on Saturday night and be updated on Sunday morning” — Chair of CEYPETCO D.J. Rajakaruna – Divaina, Aruna, Thamilan
5. Parliament will not be convening today – Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Thinakkural
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