DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Lawyers on strike today! Unanimous decision by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka at the General Council meeting held after 14 years | India triumphs over Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026 Thinakaran: Positivity has surged in government: Mood of the Nation poll of Verité Research indicates | Funeral of former Minister Tissa Vitharana today |
Thinakkural: This newspaper was unavailable at the time of publishing FrontPage Thamilan: Condemnation of Akuregoda murder; protest today by withdrawing from services! Decision by the BASL | Lawyer-wife murder! Opposition parties condemn the attack | President leaves for India today | New political proposals based on Thimpu Principles; unanimous resolution at Tamil National Council (TNC) talks |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Lawyers launch strike in protest of the murder | Will electricity tariffs increase by 13% in April? CEB suggests to PUCSL, Rs. 5.11 suggested as the minimum fee Divaina: Akuregoda murder case: Lawyers to withdraw from all court-related activities today; three underworld suspects who supplied weapons to the hired shooter arrested; other shootings reported in Jinthupitiya and Kalutara leave two dead and three critically injured Mawbima: This newspaper was unavailable at the time of publishing FrontPage
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Dinamina: The approval rating of the Government increased to 65%; according to the Mood of the Nation poll by Verité Research | “Police officers who aid drug dealers will be thrown out” – IGP Aruna: Lawyers to withdraw from all court-related activities today, in protest over the murder of the lawyer in Akuregoda; a protest march scheduled Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
New political proposals based on Thimpu Principles; unanimous resolution at Tamil National Council (TNC) talks
Thamilan, Virakesari
The Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) convened a special meeting in Jaffna on 15 February, involving various political parties and civil society organisations, to establish a People’s Council aimed at safeguarding the political aspirations of the Tamil nation.
TNPF Leader and MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam announced that the meeting unanimously resolved to appoint a special committee to draft new political proposals based on the historic Thimpu Principles.
The committee is expected to submit its report within the coming weeks, and its membership will be finalised shortly.
Ponnambalam emphasised that the council rejects the current unitary constitution and that its collective decisions will determine the future political trajectory of the Tamil people.
Black flag hoisted on Independence Day; strict action against Jaffna University students
Thinakaran The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to take strict legal action against Jaffna University students who hoisted black flags on the country’s Independence Day. The decision follows protests in several parts of the country where Independence Day was declared a “Black Day,” leading to the hoisting of black flags at the university. During a recent meeting, the UGC expressed dissatisfaction with the Jaffna University administration for failing to act on a previous report that included photographs of students involved in similar activities last year. |
“Valikamam North lands to be handed over by April” – Minister R. ChandrasekarThinakaran
Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that measures have been taken to release portions of land currently held by security forces in Valikamam North, Jaffna, by April. He emphasised that the government maintains a firm stance that the people’s lands must be returned to them. While private lands in the Northern Province were previously held for security requirements due to the conflict, the minister noted that the government is highly concerned that these lands remain unreleased 15 years after the war ended. A programme has been initiated to gradually return these private properties in Valikamam North to their rightful owners. |
People complain of MP Shritharan being targeted; “His removal is an internal party matter” – Sumanthiran explains to petitioners
Thinakaran, Virakesari
Representatives of the Kilinochchi District People’s Union alleged that MP S. Shritharan is being targeted for planned revenge through conspiratorial activities.
Following the handover of a memorandum to ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran, the representatives urged the party to end such low-level political culture and move forward with unity.
Sumanthiran noted that the removal of Shritharan from the post of parliamentary group leader is an internal party matter lasting over a year.
He emphasised that the political committee decided on a temporary removal because Shritharan failed to follow repeated instructions from the party.
MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam will temporarily take over the post, with Sumanthiran noting that Shanakiyan had already been carrying out the relevant duties.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
“Sri Lanka is definitely on the path to success” – IMF Managing Director
Lankadeepa
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva stated that Sri Lanka is “definitely on the path to success” and expressed support for the country’s efforts toward a stable, inclusive, and prosperous future.
She was speaking to the Daily FT yesterday (15th) ahead of her visit.
She praised the resilience of the Sri Lankan people and noted that reforms by successive governments have improved the country’s outlook.
Second High Court for bribery or corruption cases to begin proceedingsDinamina The newly established Second High Court, set up by the Judicial Service Commission to handle bribery and corruption cases, will begin proceedings today. The court, located at No. 6, Aluthkade Court Complex in Colombo, was created following government support to provide dedicated facilities for such cases. Its establishment is expected to help expedite the hearing of long-pending bribery and corruption cases. |
“People are being killed on the roads as frequently as mosquitoes” – PremadasaDivaina Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stated that protecting the right to life and security is the primary responsibility of all public representatives, whether in government or opposition. He noted that people are being killed on the roads at alarming rates, adding that professionals, including lawyers, struggle to practice their work, and a culture of violence exists even within families, leaving citizens living in fear and hindering the country’s progress. |
“Police officers who aid drug dealers will be thrown out” – IGP
Dinamina
Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya stated that drug traffickers have extended their operations into multiple sectors, including certain government institutions and the Police Department.
Speaking at a special anti-drug programme at Thanamalwila Police Station on Saturday (14th), he warned that officers who aid traffickers will be dismissed.
He added that the current political environment allows the police to operate freely, and failing to tackle the drug menace now would reflect a weakness in the force.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: The Island
Lawyers to withdraw from all court-related activities today
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Lawyers islandwide will refrain from appearing in court today (16th) following a decision taken at a special general meeting of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday (15th).
BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya said the action is in protest of the recent fatal shooting of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda. A protest march has also been planned.
Police have arrested three suspects alleged to have supplied weapons to the hired shooter.
Newspapers also reported that, in separate incidents, shootings reported in Jinthupitiya and Kalutara have left two dead and three critically injured.
“Approval rating of the Government increased to 65%” – Verité Research
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The Government’s approval rating stood at 65% in early February 2026, according to the latest “Mood of the Nation” poll conducted by Verité Research, with fieldwork carried out by Vanguard Survey (Pvt) Ltd.
With a ±3 percentage point margin of error, the rating remains statistically stable compared to 62% recorded in February 2025, while disapproval levels remained low and unchanged.
For the first time in the survey’s four-year history, more respondents rated current economic conditions as “good” or “excellent” than “poor.”
Perceptions of the economic outlook also improved, with 64% saying the economy is “getting better.”
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. T20 World Cup: India–Pakistan match held in Sri Lanka under tight security, President Dissanayake in attendance – Aruna, Lankadeepa, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
2. IMF Managing Director to visit Sri Lanka today – Dinamina, Divaina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. Will electricity tariffs increase by 13% in April? – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Virakesari
4. President leaves for AI summit in New Delhi – Lankadeepa, Thamilan
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