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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Mullivaikkal Mutram (memorial site) soaked in tears; thousands participate in paying tribute to relatives: emotional commemorations across the North and East | Shooting at Thusitha Halloluwa’s jeep in Narahenpita; reports that an important document was taken away; four police teams investigate | A businessperson injured in a shooting in the Bloemendhal area Thinakaran: “The IMF’s final tranche of financial assistance should serve as a foundation for the country’s development” – The secretary to the Ministry of Finance |”A tragedy like Mullivaikkal should not happen in any corner of the world” – MP K. Ilankumaran | The 16th anniversary of the end of the war; the national victory celebration to be held today under the leadership of the president |
Thinakkural: The 16th anniversary: Mullivaikkal in tears; thousands pay tribute; relatives curse the ruler Thamilan: The Tamil homeland soaked in tears; the Tamil genocide commemorated with emotion in Mullivaikkal |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The Kaduwela magistrate suspended; the official court room sealed; police protection enforced; an investigation to be conducted by the Judicial Service Commission | Electricity charges to be increased by 18%: The CEB requests permission from the PUCSL; the final decision to be made at the beginning of June Divaina: A photograph for the National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration: In our hearts, we never abandoned you on the battlefield | Kaduwela magistrate suspended: The official courtroom sealed; summoned today to remove belongings; “We will provide a detailed report as to what the allegations are” – The Judicial Service Commission Ada: 16 years for the triumphant victory: The main commemoration to be held today under the patronage of the president | Kaduwela magistrate suspended: The official courtroom sealed; opportunity given today to remove belongings |
Mawbima: The vehicle of Thusitha Halloluwa, who made a controversial statement about the president, shot in Narahenpita; four investigation teams appointed; a file was stolen following a physical attack; former MP Dodamgoda was also present | Kaduwela magistrate suspended: The official courtroom sealed Dinamina: Abuse of power: Deshabandu to appear before the Committee of Inquiry today | The National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration to be held under the patronage of the president today Aruna: “Salt from North India will arrive in 10 days” – The importers’ association | “Salt will arrive on Wednesday” – Wasantha Samarasinghe Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
The Tamil homeland soaked in tears; the Tamil genocide commemorated with emotion in Mullivaikkal | Sinhala Ravaya disrupts the Mullivaikkal commemoration in Colombo | A remembrance held at the Borella Cemetery circle
Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
The Mullivaikkal commemorative event to mark the 16th year of the Tamil genocide was held at the Mullivaikkal Mutram (memorial site) at Mullivaikkal, Mullaitivu yesterday (18th) with the participation of thousands of people who paid tribute to their loved ones. The organisers read out the “Mullivaikkal Declaration” at the event. Commemorative events were held in various parts of the North and East as well.
Thinakaran reports that a commemoration was also held at the Borella Cemetery circle. A group attempted to disrupt the event, stating that they would not allow a commemoration of the LTTE to be held.
Virakesari, Thamilan and Thinakkural report that a commemoration was also held at the Wellewatte beach in Colombo, and an attempt was made by a few members of the Sinhala Ravaya organisation to disrupt the event.
“We will continue to fight for justice and accountability” – UK MP Uma KumaranThinakkural
In her message, UK MP Uma Kumaran stated that on Mullivaikkal – Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, they honour the memory of the tens of thousands of Tamils who were killed in the final stages of the war in Sri Lanka, adding that 16 years on, there has been no justice for this genocide. The message reads, “The pain and trauma remain deeply felt and seared into our collective memories. Families are still seeking justice, survivors still carry the weight of loss, and our Tamil diaspora globally will never forget.” It further reads, “May 18th is a painful reminder for all of us of an unhealed wound and a cry for justice…The struggle for justice for the victims of Mullivaikkal is not just a Tamil issue – it is a humanitarian issue. We must continue to work towards lasting peace, justice and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.” Kumaran added, “We mourn. And we will continue to fight for justice, peace and accountability for all who have suffered. Our unity, our perseverance and our collective voice and will to endure will carry us forward.” |
“Canada continues to support international efforts to seek accountability” – The Canadian PM
Virakesari In a statement titled “Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day”, Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney stated that on the Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, they remember the lives lost, the families torn apart, the communities devastated and those who remain missing to this day. Carney added that they also think of Canada’s Tamil community, who carry with them the memory of loved ones, and the many remembrance services planned across Canada. He noted that Canada continues to support independent international efforts to seek accountability and push for truth and justice. |
“The IMF’s final tranche of financial assistance should serve as a foundation for the country’s development” – The secretary to the Ministry of Finance
Thinakaran
Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana stated that the current (17th) IMF programme, which includes an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement worth nearly USD 3 billion, should be Sri Lanka’s last IMF programme, after which the country must stand on its own feet as a resilient, sovereign economy.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
The CEO of the NMRA resigns over death threats
Lankadeepa, Aruna
CEO of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Dr. Sachin Semage announced that he has decided to step down from his position due to threats to his life. Semage emphasised that he has submitted his resignation letter via email to Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa on Saturday (17th). However, the Ministry of Health has not yet issued any response to the resignation. Meanwhile, the police have launched an investigation into an incident where two unidentified individuals entered Semage’s residence in Piliyandala on May 9. However, no arrests have been made so far. Semage noted that while in office, he had taken firm steps to dismantle the monopoly maintained by certain pharmaceutical companies.
“We will establish power in all the councils we have won” – Wasantha Samarasinghe
Dinamina Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the NPP intends to establish power over all the councils the party has won following the 2025 Local Government Election. Samarasinghe further challenged the Opposition stating that it will not be able to establish power over a single council in the Anuradhapura District. He added that the NPP has no necessity or intention to buy members of the Opposition to establish power over the councils that the party has already won. |
The Opposition’s discussions to establish power over councils to continue today as well
Mawbima A special discussion between Former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana’s group and the SJB group led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is scheduled to be held today (19th) in order to discuss the establishment of power over local government councils. Reportedly, the former speaker has been tasked with continuing the discussions that were held under the patronage of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to establish power over LG councils. The report further reads that, accordingly, Abeywardana’s group plans to meet all relevant Opposition parties individually and together in order to discuss the issue. |
“Salt from North India will arrive in 10 days” – The importers’ association | “Salt will arrive on Wednesday” – Wasantha Samarasinghe
Aruna
The Essential Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association states that, due to the government’s temporary removal of restrictions on salt imports, steps are being taken to rapidly import stocks of salt from India. They further mention that these stocks are expected to be brought into the country within the next 10 days.
Meanwhile, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the stock of salt being imported from India is expected to arrive in the country by Wednesday (21st). Samarasinghe added that permission has been granted to import and distribute salt in the local market until the country is able to produce an adequate supply of salt domestically. Accordingly, approval has been granted for imports until June 10.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily FT
The National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration to be held today under the patronage of the president
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
The National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration is scheduled to be held today (19th), in commemoration of the 16th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s war victory over the LTTE. The commemoration will be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Accordingly, the ceremony will commence at 4.00 pm at the National War Hero Cenotaph in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Distinguished guests, including Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekera (Rtd.), Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Admiral of the Fleet and former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, who led the tri-services in the final phase of the war, are expected to attend the event.
“Even after I am gone, my only prayer is that our motherland forever remains a free and sovereign nation under one Lion (Sri Lankan) flag” – Mahinda Rajapaksa
Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was the president and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces at the time the war ended, has issued a special statement marking the 16th anniversary of defeating the LTTE’s terrorism, which burdened Sri Lanka for over three decades. In his statement, Mahinda Rajapaksa stressed that, “Even after I am gone, my only prayer is that our motherland forever remains a free and sovereign nation under one Lion (Sri Lankan) flag”. He added that although the war in the country has ended, he is still fighting a political war on behalf of the soldiers of the country. Mahinda Rajapaksa also stated that the recent unveiling of a so-called “Tamil genocide memorial” in Brampton, Canada, depicting an Eelam map, is an unfortunate reminder that even now, the dark shadows of terrorism persist.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The vehicle of Thusitha Halloluwa, who made a controversial statement about the president, shot in Narahenpita; four investigation teams appointed; a file was stolen following a physical attack; former MP Dodamgoda was also present – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. Electricity charges to be increased by 18%: The CEB requests permission from the PUCSL; the final decision to be made at the beginning of June – Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
3. Kaduwela magistrate suspended: The official court room sealed; police protection enforced; an investigation to be conducted by the Judicial Service Commission – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Virakesari
4. “Salt in Puttalam has been washed away by the rain: No sun, the industry is in darkness” – Salt producers state – Lankadeepa, Ada, Dinamina, Thamilan
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