10 March 2026 | Vol. 12, #44

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “There is no room for ceasefire talks” — Iran’s announcement; Attacks intensify in the Middle East

Thinakaran: “Country has the capacity to bear fuel prices; foreign exchange reserves have risen from zero to USD 7 billion; the situation of 2022–2023 will not recur” — Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe | Flight services to Riyadh and Dubai resume

Thinakkural: Under the leadership of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba, missiles raining down on Israel; drones entering Kuwait; US issues emergency notice to embassy officials to leave Saudi Arabia immediately | “Sallay knew everything beforehand” — Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala

Thamilan: Electricity trade unions protest over various demands! Strike today if no response is received

Lankadeepa: Fuel prices increase: 92 Petrol increased by Rs. 24, White Diesel increased by Rs. 22, Kerosene Oil increased by Rs. 13 | “No New Year auspicious times list from the Government: two lists from two groups: perform customs and rituals according to the preferred list” – Cultural Secretary

Divaina: Sajin Vass remanded over not revealing how assets worth Rs. 243.8 million were acquired | Mojtaba crowned [Supreme Leader of Iran] behind the scenes following the death of his father: “Netanyahu and I will be the ones that decide the day the war will end” — Trump; the price of a barrel of crude oil surpasses USD 110: launching attacks targeting Iranian oil wells is not appropriate — The US states

Dinamina: Illegal acquisition of assets worth Rs. 243.8 million: Sajin Vass remanded

Aruna: Repairing breakdowns and maintenance work halted: CEB employees withdraw from work for 24 hours; continuous strike to be launched if solutions are not provided

Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

Case of the missing Lalith and Kugan; Procedure for obtaining Gotabaya’s testimony to be announced in April

Thinakaran

The Jaffna Magistrate’s Court, on Friday (6th), announced that the order regarding the method of obtaining testimony from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in the case of the disappearance of activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan, will be delivered on April 28.

The duo went missing in 2011 while organising a protest for the disappeared in Jaffna, leading to a habeas corpus petition filed by their relatives in the Colombo Court of Appeal in 2012.

Following an order to investigate the abduction, the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court commenced proceedings in September 2012, eventually adding then Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the witness list in 2017.

Despite being ordered to appear, Rajapaksa previously declined to travel to Jaffna, citing security concerns, and subsequently filed an affidavit as directed by the court.

“Salley knew everything beforehand” — Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala

Thinakkural

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala stated that former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Suresh Salley was arrested because strong evidence emerged indicating he had complete prior information regarding the Easter Sunday bombings.

The minister noted that the arrest followed investigations conducted over a period of approximately one year, emphasising that the inquiry is being carried out with transparency and fairness.

While the court will ultimately determine Salley’s guilt based on the evidence of his prior knowledge, the minister asserted that the police have the authority to arrest and detain individuals necessary for the investigation.

Despite various claims made by opposition parties, Wijepala maintained that the actions taken against Salley are strictly within the legal framework of the ongoing probe.

“Provincial council elections once the report is received” — Minister Chandana Abeyratne informs

Virakesari

Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Chandana Abeyratne stated that provincial council elections will be conducted promptly once a parliamentary special committee submits its recommendations on the preferred electoral system.

Speaking to the media in Kandy yesterday (9th), the minister emphasised that the government has no intention of further delaying the polls.

He attributed the current impasse to complexities in the electoral system introduced by previous administrations, which have made it difficult to proceed.

Abeyratne noted that a committee has been appointed to resolve these practical issues and reach a common consensus within parliament.

He concluded that holding elections under the current flawed framework would only lead to further disputes.

Tea revenue falls due to Middle East conflicts; Loss of USD 15 million per week

Thinakkural, Thinakaran

The Tea Exporters Association stated that Sri Lanka’s tea export sector is experiencing a decline due to the escalating war situation in the Middle East.

This instability has resulted in a loss of approximately USD 15 million over the past week.

The association noted that maritime transport disruptions and increased security threats have prompted several Middle Eastern countries to limit their tea purchases.

Given that the Middle East accounts for nearly half of Sri Lanka’s tea exports and contributes USD 530 million in annual foreign exchange, a continued crisis could severely impact national revenue.

According to export data, Sri Lanka currently exports 31% of its domestic tea to Dubai, 18% to Saudi Arabia, and 12% to Iran.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

G7 countries meet to discuss the increase in the price of crude oil

Dinamina, Divaina

It is reported that in light of the current war situation in the Middle East, a risk of global economic collapse has emerged, and the finance ministers of G7 countries have decided to hold an emergency discussion regarding the release of millions of crude oil reserves into the market to control the daily increasing crude oil prices.

Foreign media further reports that during the meeting, which was scheduled to be held yesterday (9th) afternoon via video technology under the coordination of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and under the hosting of France, it was intended to consider the release of a crude oil reserve of 300 to 400 million barrels into the market based on emergency necessity.

Foreign media stated that 32 member countries of the IEA have built up a massive crude oil reserve for use in an emergency oil crisis, and confidence has been expressed that, according to the agreement of the finance ministers, it will be possible to collectively release 400 million barrels of crude oil from that reserve into the market.

Foreign media also mentions that with the announcement of the meeting by the finance ministers of the G7 countries, which possess the world’s strongest economies, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil in the world market fell to USD 104.80, and the price of a barrel of Texas crude oil fell to USD 102 by yesterday (9th) afternoon.

Fuel prices increase: 92 Octane Petrol increased by Rs. 24, White Diesel increased by Rs. 22, Kerosene Oil increased by Rs. 13 

Lankadeepa 

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) announced a revision of fuel retail prices with effect from midnight yesterday (9th).

According to CEYPETCO, the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene have been increased island-wide under the latest price revision.

Following the increase, Lanka Auto Diesel has been raised by Rs. 22 to Rs. 303 per litre, while Lanka Super Diesel 4 Star Euro 4 has increased by Rs. 24 to Rs. 353 per litre.

Furthermore, the price of Lanka Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs. 24 to Rs. 317 per litre, while Lanka Petrol 95 Octane Euro 4 has risen by Rs. 25 to Rs. 365 per litre. The price of Lanka Kerosene has also been increased by Rs. 13 to Rs. 195 per litre.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS