DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Iran’s Intelligence Minister killed in attack; Israeli Defence Minister announces | Fatal accident in Weerawila as two SLTB buses collide; four dead, including a monk Thinakaran: “Significant progress in the project to eradicate the drug disaster” — President at the ‘A Nation United’ National Steering Council meeting | Fuel distribution through ‘Odd-Even’ system for vehicle numbers | Two ships carrying gas arrive in the country; another ship to arrive with 33,000 MT | “Ten helicopters gifted by the US; to join the Air Force in May” — Mahinda Samarasinghe |
Thinakkural: “Gotabaya resigned and left; Anura will end up fleeing! The country’s current situation is not caused by a world war; it is the work of those who are incapable” — Former Minister Harin’s sharp criticism | Iran war likely to continue; Israeli Ambassador states Thamilan: Restrictions on private fuel distribution; risk of long vehicle queues continues; Fuel Station Owners’ Association urges government intervention |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Insurance and shipping costs in the global market have increased: fuel prices to increase again next month? Divaina: Five deaths reported following two accidents in Weerawila-Kuliyapitiya: “the road was covered with smoke from burning hay” – An eyewitness of the Weerawila accident states: a monk passes away following collision of two buses in Weerawila; three women reported dead; three-wheeler driver dead following collision with ambulance in Kuliyapitiya
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Dinamina: “Four reported dead in Weerawila bus accident, including a monk: 37 injured: both buses came at high speed even while the road was covered with smoke; both drivers injured” – Deputy Inspector General in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, W.G.J. Senadheera Aruna: “70 million litres of extra fuel spent due to substandard coal” — Former Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: LNW
“Significant progress in the project to eradicate the drug disaster” — President at the ‘A Nation United’ National Steering Council meeting
Thinakaran, Thinakkural
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the necessary legislative amendments to curb drug use, sales, and trafficking.
During a meeting of the ‘A Nation United’ National Steering Council held yesterday (18th) at the Presidential Secretariat, the president emphasised that government efforts to eliminate the drug threat must continue regardless of social or economic challenges.
He highlighted the primary need to build public confidence regarding the destruction of seized drug stocks and ordered the committee appointed for legal reforms to avoid delays in the legislative process.
Furthermore, President Dissanayake stressed the importance of rapidly implementing existing plans to disrupt distribution networks while strengthening rehabilitation and judicial processes.
“Gotabaya resigned and left; Anura will end up fleeing! The country’s current situation is not caused by a world war; it is the work of those who are incapable” — Former Minister Harin’s sharp criticism
Thinakkural Former Minister Harin Fernando claimed that, unlike Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who resigned from office, the current president will flee in a manner that he cannot be found even if searched for. Speaking at a United National Party (UNP) press conference held yesterday (18th), he noted significant contradictions between the president’s pre-election statements and his recent remarks made on March 3, 10, 15, and 16. Fernando criticised the government’s handling of the fuel crisis, stating that officials who promised arriving ships are now citing delays while queues form across the country. He further asserted that the current national situation was not caused by a global war but by the incompetence of those in power. |
“Rs. 900 billion loss to the Petroleum Corporation; the JVP is the cause!” — Harsha de SilvaThinakkural
SJB MP Harsha de Silva heavily criticised the government’s economic management, warning of a potential 8% to 10% increase in electricity tariffs. He attributed the Rs. 900 billion loss incurred by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to JVP trade unions and questioned why a portion of the over Rs. 1 trillion currently in the Treasury cannot be allocated for public welfare. De Silva argued that instead of reducing fuel taxes for everyone, funds should be directed to the poor through schemes like Aswesuma, noting that poverty has risen since Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure without formal solutions from the current administration. Additionally, he condemned the proposal to allocate Rs. 100 billion for the loss-making SriLankan Airlines, suggesting instead that such state institutions be privatised or “peoplised” to ease the fiscal burden. |
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa files case against Wimal Weerawansa and a private channel demanding Rs. 1 billion in compensation
Dinamina
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has filed a lawsuit before the Colombo District Court seeking Rs. 1 billion in damages from Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa and a private television channel.
The case was filed following allegations made by Weerawansa at a recent public rally, claiming Minister Jayatissa purchased goods using a credit card belonging to an unregistered pharmaceutical company.
The lawsuit states that these allegations were given prominence and broadcast during the main news bulletin of the private television channel on February 7, 2026.
Minister Jayatissa asserts that the statements are directly and indirectly defamatory and have damaged his reputation, requesting the court to order the defendants to pay compensation either jointly or separately.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
Six major allegations: Opposition brings NCM against Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody
Divaina
The opposition will be submitting a no-confidence motion (NCM) against Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, signed by opposition MPs.
Reportedly, the NCM will be handed over to the Speaker in parliament today (19th).
The paper reports that so far, 17 opposition MPs, including Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, have signed the motion.
The motion centralises six main allegations and claims the Minister of Energy has failed to discharge his primary duty to ensure the procurement of sufficient and quality coal for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai.
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Sri Lanka Air Force warns against unauthorised drone use Lankadeepa, Divaina According to the SLAF, legal action has previously been taken against individuals operating drones in High-Security Zones without permits. The Air Force emphasised that all operators must comply with existing laws and obtain necessary approvals from relevant authorities before conducting activities. This notification, issued in the interest of national security, aims to prevent legal consequences or operational inconveniences for drone operators. |
‘Sanhindiyave Sama Pagamana’ [Peace March for Reconciliation], voicing lost heritage of Sinhala people in the North, begins from Jaffna todayDivaina Chairperson of the ‘Sasuna Rakumata Goliya Sinhala Ekamuthuva’ [Global Sinhala Union to Protect the Buddhist Order], Kosala, told Divaina that the ‘Sanhindiyave Sama Pagamana’ [Peace March for Reconciliation], which will make its way from Jaffna to Colombo to draw the attention of officials to the heritage and rights deprived of the Sinhalese people in the North for 78 years, is scheduled to begin its journey near the Jaffna Railway Station this morning (19th). He further stated that the march so commenced will reach the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress in Colombo on March 25, where the ‘Uthura Dinana Samuluva’ [Winning the North convention] and the handover of the public memorandum will take place. |
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa files case against Wimal Weerawansa and a private channel demanding Rs. 1 billion in compensation
Dinamina
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has filed a lawsuit before the Colombo District Court seeking Rs. 1 billion in damages from Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa and a private television channel.
The case was filed following allegations made by Weerawansa at a recent public rally, claiming Minister Jayatissa purchased goods using a credit card belonging to an unregistered pharmaceutical company.
The lawsuit states that these allegations were given prominence and broadcast during the main news bulletin of the private television channel on February 7, 2026.
Minister Jayatissa asserts that the statements are directly and indirectly defamatory and have damaged his reputation, requesting the court to order the defendants to pay compensation either jointly or separately.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Fuel to be issued on odd-even number plate system: QR mandatory – CEYPETCO
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Chairperson of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) states that fuel will be issued under an odd-even system starting from yesterday (18th).Accordingly, under the new arrangement, vehicles with number plates ending in an even number or zero will be issued fuel on even-numbered days, while vehicles with number plates ending in an odd number will be allowed to obtain fuel on odd-numbered days.The CEYPETCO Chairperson stated that the measure has been introduced to regulate fuel distribution more effectively and manage demand at filling stations.The Corporation also stressed that the QR code is mandatory for fuel to be issued.
Two SLTB buses collide in Weerawila: four reported dead, 35 injured
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Four people, including a monk, were killed and around 35 others were injured in a head-on collision involving two Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses in Weerawila yesterday (18th).The accident occurred when a Colombo–Kataragama bus collided with another SLTB bus travelling to Karapitiya.The injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.Eyewitnesses to the accident stated that the road was covered in a thick layer of smoke, which had made it difficult for vehicles to see the road.Reportedly, the smoke was a result of hay being burnt in a nearby field.
Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Colombo City halts vehicle parking charges – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thamilan
2. Iran infuriated by the assassination of the security chief: heavy missile attacks on Israel – Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. Sri Lanka receives 10 TH-57C helicopters from the US – Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
4. A vessel containing 3,900 metric tons of gas arrives in the country – Dinamina, Thinakaran
[/paywall]PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |