12 March 2026 | Vol. 12, #46

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “Fuel supply guaranteed for only two months” — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Thinakaran: Electricity Board employees’ strike called off; next decision after today’s talks with the president; decision also made to bring electricity supply back to normal | “Having overcome internal shocks, we now face a situation of external shocks” — President

Thinakkural: “Even the LTTE would have treated me with more dignity; Suresh Sallay’s anguish” — stated by Udaya Gammanpila | “Uninterrupted fuel supply guaranteed for only two months; there is no dollar issue for the fuel crisis; the supply route is blocked” — says the President | “Attempt to murder Suresh Sallay inside prison” — Allegation by Wimal Weerawansa

Thamilan: “If the closure of the Strait of Hormuz becomes permanent, the cost of living will increase worldwide!” — Urgent warning from the United Nations | “Clear the mines in the Strait of Hormuz” — US warns Iran

Lankadeepa: All 381 high seats to the SLAS: Administration Services Constitution abolished: the Public Service Commission has violated the rights of state workers: government ordered to pay legal fees — SC issues verdict | 19,000 litres of illegally held diesel found in a metal shop in Biyagama: collections made in barrels

Divaina: Another trawler which was sailing to assist the trawler carrying weapons and drugs, arrested: five suspects arrested: to be brought to Dikkowita today | Khamenei remains silent although 48 hours have passed: no public appearances: “he is well even though he is injured” – Yousef Pezeshkian states: the International Energy Agency has released the largest oil reserves in history in order to reduce oil prices

Dinamina: Electricity bill will rise by 100% if employees’ salaries are increased by 40% – Chairpersons of four CEB successor companies emphasise at press briefing

Aruna: Short eats up by Rs. 10 due to gas price hike: Plain tea up by Rs. 5 and milk tea by Rs. 10: prices of rice and Kottu also increased

Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

“The government, which engages in media politics, must answer the coal corruption allegations!” — Mano Ganesan

Thamilan

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader Mano Ganesan accused the NPP government of institutionalising corruption, specifically citing scandals involving coal procurement and the release of red-flagged containers.

Speaking at a joint opposition press platform, Ganesan asserted that while he supports investigations into past misdeeds, the current administration must be equally accountable for its own controversies.

He questioned the transparency of a secret account allegedly used for commissions from these deals and noted that the government’s shift to spot tenders for coal contradicts its previous anti-corruption stance.

Ganesan also called on Ranga Dissanayake, the Director General of the CIABOC, to prioritise investigating the current administration’s documented irregularities.

Furthermore, he criticised the lack of progress by the parliamentary select committee tasked with investigating the release of 323 high-risk containers in January 2025.

Common programme of the opposition to protect sovereignty; Ranil’s greetings; Possibility of Sajith’s side joining

Virakesari

Main political parties, including the UNP, SJB, SLPP, and SLFP, have launched a joint initiative to protect democracy, the rule of law, and people’s sovereignty.

At a press conference held yesterday in Colombo led by Prof. G.L. Peiris, senior leaders, including Nimal Siripala de Silva, Udaya Gammanpila, Patali Champika Ranawaka, and Wajira Abeywardena, participated in the briefing.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended his support to the initiative, emphasising that unity is essential to overcome the current threats facing these democratic pillars.

MP Mano Ganesan noted that SJB leader Sajith Premadasa may join the platform following the conclusion of ongoing official talks between the UNP and SJB.

“Even the LTTE would have treated me with more dignity; Suresh Sallay’s anguish” — Udaya Gammanpila | “Attempt to murder Suresh Sallay inside prison” — Wimal Weerawansa

Thinakkural

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila claimed that the former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Suresh Sallay, is being held in conditions worse than those of an ordinary prisoner.

After visiting Sallay at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in his capacity as a lawyer, Gammanpila stated that Sallay expressed deep frustration, even suggesting that the LTTE would have treated him with more dignity as a fellow soldier.

Gammanpila described Sallay as a national hero who played a significant role in defeating the LTTE and noted that he appeared to be in a distressed state during their meeting.

Meanwhile, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa alleged that there is an attempt to assassinate Sallay while he is in prison.

Weerawansa further stated that they are prepared to launch a satyagraha protest in front of the CID to ensure Sallay’s safety.

Assassination of Makandure Madush; CID investigations begin; steps taken to record statements from police

Thinakaran

The CID has commenced an investigation into the killing of underworld leader Makandure Madush, following a request made by his brother to the secretary of the Ministry of Public Security.

Madush was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on October 20, 2020, while in the custody of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) during a raid to recover a stock of narcotics in Maligawatta.

The CID informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that it intends to record statements from the police officers who accompanied the deceased to the site.

Additionally, the court has ordered the CID to obtain a statement from the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer and retrieve relevant video footage of the incident from media organisations.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

“The auspicious time sheet for the New Year will be issued together with all parties” – Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana Gamagedara Dissanayake

Dinamina, Aruna

Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake states that a single auspicious time sheet for the 2026 Sinhala and Tamil New Year will be published by bringing together all parties involved in preparing the New Year auspicious times.

Dissanayake, at a press conference held on Tuesday (10th), stated that a formal discussion will be held involving all parties for this purpose.

Mentioning that various parties have made baseless statements claiming that the government will not present an auspicious time sheet this time, the deputy minister said there is no truth in them.

Bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka has been reduced — CBSL Financial Intelligence Unit states

Dinamina

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) states that the risk associated with bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka has decreased from a ‘medium-high’ level to a ‘medium’ level.

The FIU notes that this is a satisfactory situation.

The reason for this is that Sri Lanka’s score in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which stood at 32 in the year 2024, increased to 35 by 2025.

The FIU of the CBSL also states that the money laundering threat related to drug trafficking in Sri Lanka has grown from the previous ‘medium-high’ level to a ‘high’ level.

The FIU of the CBSL stated this while officially publishing the National Risk Assessment (NRA) report on money laundering, terrorist financing, and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction for the year 2024/25.

This assessment, conducted with the contribution of representatives from 86 government and private sector institutions and nearly 200 experts, is the third National Risk Assessment carried out within Sri Lanka.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS