DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “We have the ability to handle the crisis” – Central Bank Governor’s announcement: also points out being in a better position than 2022 | “We expect cooperation from the Big Brother” – Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha at the Sri Lanka-India Defence Seminar Thinakaran: “Practice electricity conservation from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. as a solution to the energy crisis” – Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody | Aswesuma Elderly Allowance deposited in bank accounts today | “Fuel stocks required to meet electricity generation and transport needs until next May are available” – Chairperson of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation |
Thinakkural: “Sri Lanka’s responses insult Iran through improper foreign policy; we should not act as if slapping the ambassador of that country” – Former Minister Professor Peiris | 100 missiles launched at a US aircraft carrier; Iran launches missile attacks on Israel, Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain | Trump to stop war with Iran; one-month ceasefire; 15-point peace plan released Thamilan: Fuel shortage; global restrictions | “Reduce electricity consumption!” – Minister Handunnetti appeals to the public
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Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Luxury vehicles headed to Dubai held up in Hambantota: 500 vehicles brought for Sri Lanka halted at sea for 10 days; prices to increase if the war continues Divaina: The black market mafia is taking advantage of the heat of the war situation: starting work for the New Year now itself; stocks of rice such as Keeri Samba, hidden; a plan to release goods after price increase; the price of eggs, coconut oil, and dhal also increased; fisherfolk ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’ due to the fuel crisis: obstacles to the transportation of vegetable stocks
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Dinamina: “The economy is secure: the effects of war can be managed: Foreign reserves increased to USD 7.3 billion” — CBSL Governor states Aruna: Inflation to arrive early due to increase in energy costs: if the war continues, our economy will face many more indirect consequences — A revelation from the CBSL Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: The Island
“The Sri Lankan Government insulted Iran” – G.L. Peiris criticises
Thamilan, Thinakkural
Former MP G.L. Peiris claimed that the government is insulting Iran by denying the Iranian Ambassador’s statement regarding the arrival of an Iranian naval vessel in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo yesterday (25th), Peiris asserted that Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda extended a formal diplomatic invitation on behalf of the government for the vessel to visit.
He highlighted that the Iranian Ambassador Alireza Delkhosh confirmed this invitation twice, noting the ship arrived after participating in exercises in Visakhapatnam, India.
Peiris further noted that Iran had expressed readiness to supply fuel to Sri Lanka and ensure the safety of Sri Lankans in Iran, yet the government continues to issue untruthful statements.
He criticised the cabinet spokesperson for incorrectly labelling the ambassador’s remarks as false, arguing that such actions damage relations with a supportive brotherly nation.
“Practice electricity conservation from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. as a solution to the energy crisis” – Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody
Thinakaran Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody has issued an urgent request to the public to use electricity economically between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. due to the energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict. The minister affirmed that no decision has been taken to implement power cuts despite the current situation. He pointed out that while fuel stocks are available to meet electricity demands until May, night-time power generation relies heavily on fuel. Therefore, he noted that saving electricity during these peak hours is essential to reduce pressure on the power grid. Jayakody called for full public cooperation in switching off unnecessary lights and practising energy conservation. |
“Immediately stop the implementation of the Parate Law” – SajithThinakaran
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged the government to immediately suspend the implementation of the Parate execution law and introduce a special debt restructuring scheme for struggling businesses. During a meeting with Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurs (SMEs) at the Opposition Leader’s office, he highlighted that rising fuel prices have severely impacted the production chain and supply service structures. Premadasa noted that the SME sector contributes 52% to the national economy and provides livelihoods for approximately 4.5 million people. He warned that a collapse in this sector would weaken national productivity and destabilise family economies, necessitating a special economic package to offset rising raw material costs. Furthermore, he emphasised that producers are under immense pressure as passing these costs to consumers would eliminate market competitiveness. |
“Why were elephants brought into the Jaffna Peninsula? Great suspicion among the people” – Kattaikadu Parish Priest
Thinakkural
The parish priest of Kattaikadu, Rev. Fr. Vasanthan, has urged the Department of Wildlife Conservation to immediately vacate and return lands belonging to the people of Vadamarachchi East.
Speaking to the media after inspecting recent elephant-related damages in the Kattaikadu-Kevil area on Wednesday (25th), he characterised the ongoing land acquisitions as part of a structural genocide occurring in the North and East through government departments.
Rev. Vasanthan argued that the area lacks dense forests or the natural habitat necessary for wild elephants and alleged that the animals may have been intentionally brought there to justify the establishment of a national park.
He further questioned how the elephants arrived without the knowledge of the nearby army camp, located within 50 m of the damaged sites, suggesting a coordinated effort to seize civilian lands.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
Russian deputy energy minister to arrive in the island today
Divaina, Dinamina
Russian Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Marshavin is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka this morning (26th) for diplomatic talks regarding petroleum and coal supplies.
These discussions are being held as a solution to the disruptions in global fuel supply chains caused by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East region.
Following the removal of sanctions previously imposed on the purchase of Russian oil, special focus will be placed on acquiring Russian fuel to ensure a continuous supply for Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, the talks with Roman Marshavin are expected to be vital in securing the energy security of the country.
Inquiries into reasons for not attending the PM’s meeting: a letter from the zonal directorLankadeepa, Divaina, Aruna
The Zonal Education Office has notified principals to explain the reasons for the absence of teachers at a teacher meeting held on March 15 at the Tangalle Town Hall, presided over by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. A letter signed by the Tangalle Zonal Director of Education, W.A.S.D. Kalyani has been forwarded to all principals inquiring into the matter. According to the letter, principals must provide explanations by March 26 regarding the teachers’ failure to attend the meeting with the Prime Minister. While teacher meetings led by the Prime Minister took place in several locations, including Tangalle and Hambantota on March 15, it is reported that only a small number of teachers participated in the Tangalle meeting. |
Hotel turns Sigiriya premises into a toilet: four, including an engineer and three higher-ups, arrestedLankadeepa, Aruna Wildlife officials in Sigiriya arrested four individuals, including an assistant manager and an engineer of a well-known tourist hotel, yesterday (25th) for allegedly causing severe environmental pollution within the Sigiriya sanctuary. The suspects are accused of harming wild animals, releasing waste into the grounds, discharging faecal matter into the scenic lake in front of the Sigiriya rock, and using bags filled with waste to hunt wildlife. The Sigiriya Wildlife Office stated that investigations are underway to arrest three high-ranking individuals from the same company who allegedly aided and abetted these activities. The arrests followed a special search operation launched yesterday (25th) involving approximately 50 personnel, including wildlife officers, Civil Security Department officers, and other departmental staff, based on information received by the authorities. |
“If the CESS tax is removed, small and medium-scale businesses will be in danger” — G.L. Peiris
Dinamina, Aruna
Former Minister Professor G.L. Peiris stated that 90% of small and medium-scale industries are at risk of collapsing due to the decision to remove the CESS tax imposed on imported goods effective April 1.
Speaking at a press conference held yesterday (25th) at the N.M. Perera Centre in Borella, G.L. Peiris, further explained that the government’s plan to gradually phase out the CESS tax starting April 1 would cause immeasurable damage.
G.L. Peiris noted that the primary objective of this tax was to protect local industries and that it generates USD 400 million annually.
He pointed out that the agreement to gradually remove the tax between 2026 and 2029 was made to secure a loan instalment.
He urged the government not to implement this decision for the sake of a loan instalment, emphasising that the government’s responsibility should be to take the necessary steps to protect small and medium-scale industrialists.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: CBSL
“The economy is secure: the effects of war can be managed: Foreign reserves increased to USD 7.3 billion” — CBSL Governor states
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Nandalal Weerasinghe stated that foreign reserves are currently at a high level to manage potential economic shocks to the country resulting from the military situation in the Middle East region.
Weerasinghe emphasised that the economy is secure with a high reserve of USD 7.3 billion, noting this is the highest foreign reserve amount recorded in recent times.
He made these remarks while responding to questions from journalists during a press conference held yesterday (25th) at the CBSL headquarters.
The Governor also recalled the resilience shown by the Sri Lankan people in the face of challenging situations such as the past COVID-19 pandemic, Cyclone Ditwah, and the severe economic crisis.
He further expressed confidence in the ability to maintain economic stability through certain adjustments despite the prevailing global conditions.
Iran kicks Trump’s peace plan away; five conditions to stop the war: need [to recognise] Iran’s control over the Hormuz Strait
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
The Donald Trump administration submitted a 15-point ceasefire proposal to Iran through Pakistani intermediaries amid the ongoing conflict.
The American plan reportedly calls for the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, strict limits on its ballistic missile capabilities, and the guaranteed reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping in exchange for sanctions relief.
In response, the Iranian government has officially rejected the US proposal, dismissing the terms as “excessive” and “maximalist.”
Iran instead countered with a more concise five-point plan, which demands a total halt to all US and Israeli military aggressions and assassinations, alongside the guaranteed payment of war reparations for damages incurred since February.
Crucially, Iran’s counter-proposal insists on formal international recognition of its sovereign authority and legal control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian plan also requires the establishment of concrete international mechanisms to ensure hostilities do not resume and calls for a comprehensive region-wide ceasefire.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Suresh Sallay hospitalised – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
2. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian PM Narendra Modi hold a telephone conversation on global energy security – Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
3. Fuel available till May: 10% more than the required amount has been ordered: do not collect stocks — CEYPETCO – Dinamina, Thinakaran
4. Do not increase fares for train tickets – Station Masters’ Union requests – Aruna, Thinakkural
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