DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Implementation of the ruling would benefit Sri Lanka; Economic experts comment on the US Supreme Court’s announcement; Point out uncertainty due to Trump’s decisions | Pictorial: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya paying floral tributes at a special ceremony to mark the 169th birth anniversary of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the World Scout Movement Thinakaran: “Indian government provides USD 63.5 billion [sic] for the development of KKS Port” – Minister Anura Karunathilaka | Two arrested with cigarettes and beedi leaves worth over Rs. 20 million | 140th Birth Anniversary of Lake House Founder D.R. Wijewardene is today |
Thinakkural: Oxford abruptly changed the timing of Namal’s speech due to strong protests from the Tamil diaspora; Eelam Tamils say the protest will proceed as planned | “Tiger supporters prevented the speech at Cambridge University” – Namal Thamilan: Will Sri Lanka become a base for attacks on Iran? Controversy following the US Admiral’s visit to Colombo | The person who shot the lawyer has been arrested and remanded |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: A change to the coal tender? Government seeks AG’s advice | Practising lawyer at Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court arrested while using ‘ice’ | Why are Indian projects delayed – PM Modi questions President Anura Divaina: Lawyer and wife killed to settle a Rs. 200,000 debt of Karandeniya Sudda, says main shooter; claims he learnt victims’ identities that morning; was really competent in handling firearms in the army Mawbima: Fish merchant killed amid threats in Devundara; four leading organised crime figures targeted as police and intelligence launch joint mission | 100,000 Litro gas cylinders distributed today; key talks held with LAUGFS, says Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe
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Dinamina: The lawyer and his wife were murdered to settle a Rs. 200,000 debt of Karandeniya Sudda – main shooter reveals | “It is a pleasure to meet a neighbour and friend” – Indian PM says on X | Several areas affected by the heavy rain; conditions expected to ease starting tomorrow
Aruna: Hundreds seek protection amidst concerns of organised crime; lawyers, prison officers, police and monks among them Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Tamil Guardian
“The Government’s new constitution must ensure the self-determination of Tamils” – Resolution at the delegate conference of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance
Virakesari
The Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) passed 15 resolutions during its national convention held yesterday (22nd).
The convention, attended by DTNA co-leaders Dharmalingam Siddarthan, Selvam Adaikalanathan, Suresh Premachandran, P. Chandrakumar, and Venthan, primarily focused on the ethnic issue, justice, and livelihood concerns of the Tamil people.
The DTNA convention centred on securing a federal constitutional system that recognises the right to self-determination in traditional homelands.
Key resolutions called for the immediate holding of provincial council elections to restore democratic representation, the total repeal of the PTA, and an international investigation into alleged war crimes and genocide.
Furthermore, the alliance demanded an end to state-sponsored land grabs and Sinhalese settlements in the North and East, while advocating for the release of political prisoners and administrative upgrades for local secretariats to prevent undemocratic interference.
Oxford abruptly changed the timing of Namal’s speech due to strong protests from the Tamil diaspora; Eelam Tamils say the protest will proceed as planned | “Tiger supporters prevented the speech at Cambridge University” – Namal
Thinakkural SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa’s scheduled lecture at the University of Cambridge on February 25 was cancelled due to intense opposition from the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora. Tamil student and youth organisations in the UK organised protests against his visit, leading to the cancellation of the event at Cambridge, while the Oxford Union rescheduled the timing of an event he was set to attend today (Monday). Namal Rajapaksa’s media unit claimed the cancellation resulted from pressure by LTTE supporters across the UK. Following these developments, Rajapaksa asserted that despite the military defeat of the LTTE, their ideologies remain active through diaspora networks in the UK, Europe, and Canada. He further alleged that the “ideologies of the current Sri Lankan government and the LTTE appear to be identical.” |
“PM Modi’s government is our true friend” – JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva statesVirakesari
JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva stated that Sri Lanka can maintain its sovereignty while operating in a friendly manner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which he described as a true friend. In an interview with an English medium outlet, Silva clarified that the party was never against India or its people, but rather opposed the policies of certain past Indian administrations, such as that of Rajiv Gandhi. He noted that while the JVP still maintains the Indo-Lanka Accord should never have happened, it is 38-year-old history and should not hinder future relations in a changing world. Silva emphasised that the current government is honest in its foreign policy, treating India as a close neighbour while maintaining friendships with China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh without betraying one for another. |
“Indian government provides USD 63.5 billion [sic] for the development of KKS Port” – Minister Anura Karunathilaka
Thinakaran
Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka stated that the government has completed the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the Kankesanthurai Port.
The document is set to be forwarded to the Attorney General’s (AG) Department for legal clearance.
The Indian government has agreed to provide USD 63.5 million in financial assistance for the project, which is expected to be managed as a joint venture between the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and an Indian-nominated entity.
Once the AG’s approval is obtained, final discussions will be held with Indian authorities to sign the agreement and commence construction.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
“Update of laws and ordinances in various sectors” – Minister Abeyaratne
Dinamina, Aruna
Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. Chandana Abeyaratne, stated that the government plans to review and update outdated laws and ordinances across multiple sectors.
Speaking at an inaugural session aimed at raising awareness among public officials about the planned reforms, held recently at Colombo’s Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel with support from the UNDP, he said the revisions will simplify legal clauses and make public services more accessible and efficient.
He added that the government will also focus on reforming colonial-era administrative frameworks to improve overall public service delivery.
PM Modi questions President Dissanayake on delays in Indian projectsLankadeepa Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that last Friday (20th), President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a special discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the AI Impact Expo 2026 in New Delhi. The leaders reviewed the progress of Indian-funded projects in Sri Lanka, addressed delays, and discussed additional support following the recent Ditwah cyclone. They also explored opportunities for knowledge exchange on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies used in Indian government institutions, with India pledging assistance to Sri Lanka in this matter. |
“100,000 litres of gas to be distributed today” – Minister SamarasingheMawbima Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that 100,000 litres (1,500 MT) of gas will be distributed to the market today (23rd). He added that shipments of 3,900 and 3,700 MT are expected on February 25 and 28, respectively. He added that ministry officials will hold a special discussion with representatives of LAUGFS Gas PLC regarding the ongoing LAUGFS gas shortage today. |
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
Lawyer and wife killed to settle a Rs. 200,000 debt of Karandeniya Sudda
Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
The Homagama Divisional Crime Investigation Unit of the Sri Lanka Police has arrested a shooter allegedly involved in the double murder of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda.
The suspect, a former soldier who retired under the 2009 general amnesty, was apprehended on Saturday (21) during an operation in Delduwa, Ambalangoda.
He reportedly admitted that he committed the killings to settle a Rs. 200,000 debt of Karandeniya Sudda and has been remanded for 90 days.
“The government has a history of importing substandard items” – Weerawansa
Aruna, Divaina, Mawbima, Thinakkural, Virakesari
The leader of the National Freedom Front, Wimal Weerawansa, criticised the quality of coal in the latest shipments imported into the country, claiming it is far inferior to the first four shipments.
Speaking at a media conference in Colombo yesterday (22nd), he stated that the government “has a history of importing substandard items, including PhDs, a parliamentary speaker, medicines, educational modules and gas tenders.”
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Several areas affected by the heavy rain; landslide warnings issued for eight areas; conditions expected to ease starting tomorrow –Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
2. Trump to raise US global tariffs to 15% after Supreme Court ruling – Dinamina, Divaina, Virakesari
3. “A freighter carrying 3,900 MT of gas has sailed into the Colombo Port” – Chairperson of Litro Gas Lanka Limited – Lankadeepa, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
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