DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Iran is ready to provide fuel to Sri Lanka” – Announcement by Iranian Ambassador Alireza Delkhosh; points out that there are no restrictions for friendly nations to travel through the Strait of Hormuz | “Attacks on Iran halted for 5 days” – Donald Trump announces; Iran says no negotiations have taken place Thinakaran: “Thanks for the hospitality towards the Iranian Navy; Iran is ready to provide fuel to Sri Lanka; We are certainly ready to help if a request is made” – Iranian Ambassador states | Decision to provide two months’ worth of medicine to clinic patients at once | Protest in Jaffna against hate speech |
Thinakkural: “Attacks on Iran halted for 5 days” – Donald Trump announces | The world stands at the threshold of World War 3? Donald Trump’s 48-hour deadline has ended Thamilan: “Temporary halt to the war on Iran!” – US President Trump announces | Police officer apologises to youth arrested for insulting the Israeli national flag; Agrees to pay Rs. 2 million in compensation at the Supreme Court | Bus services suspended demanding a fare hike; great impact on the people |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Trump halts the war? Attacking Iranian power plants and energy hubs halted for five days: “No talks with the US: will continue attacks” — Iran states Divaina: “No discussions with Washington” — Iran silent on Trump’s peace; Trump halts attacking Iran for five days; discussions were a success — Washington states | “Sri Lanka is a friend of ours: we will provide anything, including oil, if requested” — Iranian Ambassador states
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Dinamina: Trump suspends the war for five days: attacks on power plants and energy hubs stopped; Trump retreated – Iran says Aruna: Bus fares increase: approval granted to increase fares by 12.19%; minimum fare is Rs. 30, while maximum fare is Rs. 2,422 Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
“Government is attempting to arrest me before March 31” – Udaya Gammanpila says
Thinakkural, Virakesari
Pivithuru Helu Urumaya (PHU) Leader, former MP Udaya Gammanpila, challenged the government to arrest him on March 28, alleging a plot to prevent the release of his book.
He claimed the government intends to detain him due to fears that he will reveal the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks on March 31.
Gammanpila asserted that the publication will proceed as planned regardless of whether he is arrested or remains alive.
He further noted that Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa’s recent comments confirmed ongoing efforts to thwart the disclosure.
Seven government departments have seized 125,000 acres of land in the Eastern Province
Thinakkural The Eastern Province Land Retrieval Network claimed that over 125,000 acres of land in the Eastern Province have been seized or encroached upon through seven different government mechanisms. During a press briefing in Trincomalee held on Monday (23rd) to mark Land Week 2026, activists stated that despite the end of the war, many residents are still unable to obtain formal documentation for their lands. They alleged that residential areas, livelihoods, and socio-cultural sites are being systematically taken over by the state, outside individuals, and large-scale businesses through both legal and illegal means. The network highlighted that this planned encroachment continues to threaten the heritage and survival of the local population. |
Tamil Genocide Memorial damaged in CanadaThinakaran
The Tamil Genocide Memorial located in Chinguacousy Park, Brampton, was vandalised on the morning of the 20th. Ontario MPP Vijay Thanigasalam and the National Council of Canadian Tamils condemned the act, noting that the main platform and memorial plaques were defaced with paint. Thanigasalam described the incident as revolting and characterised it as a direct attack on the identity and history of the Tamil people in Ontario. Local authorities are being urged to investigate the matter as a hate-motivated crime against the community. |
“Stop telling lies!” – Dilith requests the government
Thamilan
Sarvajana Balaya Leader MP Dilith Jayaweera asserted that the government’s “ignorant arrogance has exacerbated national issues” and urged the administration to “stop lying and speak the truth to the public.”
During a press briefing at the party headquarters in Colombo, he criticised the lack of a strategic national preparedness plan in the president’s recent parliamentary address, particularly regarding regional instability and fuel security.
Jayaweera also questioned the transparency of claims regarding US aircraft and potential secret agreements, calling for a cohesive national plan instead of theatrical measures like the QR code implementation.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Gelogia
Will oil be purchased from Iran or not? Decision to be made soon
Lankadeepa
Internal sources state that the Ministry of Energy, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be having a meeting in order to discuss the statement made by Iranian Ambassador Dr Alireza Delkhosh.
The report further reads that a decision on the offer will be taken following the discussions, in which many other factors regarding Iranian crude oil are to be considered.
Accordingly, the report added, citing internal sources, that a prompt decision cannot be made due to these reasons.
Notices issued against the minister of energyDivaina Notices have been issued against Minister of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, ordering him to appear in the Colombo High Court on March 27. High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela issued the notice for Jayakody to be present in court for the formal serving of indictments in a pending corruption trial. The charges against Kumara Jayakody involve allegations of corruption that reportedly resulted in a loss exceeding Rs. 8.8 million to Sri Lanka. The prosecution contends that the minister’s actions allowed a private contractor to secure improper financial gains. |
“Legal measures to be taken against bus strikes that inconvenience the public” — Kurunegala SSPDinamina SSP Channaka Kobbaewala of the Kurunegala Police Headquarters stated that measures will be taken to initiate legal action in coordination with the North Western Road Passenger Transport Authority if bus strikes are launched in a manner that inconveniences passengers. While some buses were staying away from operations demanding a fare revision, a group of individuals had obstructed several private buses operating on the Kurunegala to Colombo route yesterday (23rd), and the police intervened to make the necessary arrangements for buses to operate. Speaking further, Kobbaewala noted that several buses had been pelted with stones in the Malkaduwawa area of Kurunegala. With the decision taken by several private bus associations to withdraw from operations until the bus fare revision is implemented, long queues were observed around bus stations, and passengers were seen facing great difficulties. |
“[We] agree with the new price revision for bus fares: buses to run as usual” – President of the Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association Gemunu Wijeratne
Dinamina
President of the Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association Gemunu Wijeratne told Dinamina yesterday (23rd) that they agree with the bus fare revision provided by the government and will add buses to operations as usual from today (24th).
Wijeratne stated that although the association decided to withdraw from operations due to the inability to run under the previous bus fares following the fuel price increase, this was by no means a strike.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Guardian
“Sri Lanka is a friend of ours: we will provide anything, including oil, if requested” — Iranian Ambassador states
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Iranian Ambassador Dr Alireza Delkhosh, speaking at a press conference held at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Colombo, reiterated Iran’s commitment to its bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka and emphasised continued cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Delkhosh described Sri Lanka as a friendly nation and stated that Iran maintains an open and supportive stance toward its partners.
He noted that the Strait of Hormuz remains accessible to vessels of friendly countries, including Sri Lanka, and affirmed that Iran is prepared to facilitate the needs of such nations.
The Ambassador further stated that Iran is ready to supply essential goods, including oil, should Sri Lanka require them.
He emphasised Iran’s willingness to support Sri Lanka in times of need.
“We do not want to see Sri Lanka in trouble, and the people of Sri Lanka are highly esteemed and respected in Iran,” Dr Delkhosh said, further emphasising the goodwill and mutual respect between the two nations.
Trump halts the war? Attacking Iranian power plants and energy hubs halted for five days: “No talks with the US: will continue attacks” — Iran states
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
President of the United States Donald Trump announced yesterday (23rd) that the joint attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran have been suspended.
Posting a note on the Truth Social media network, Trump stated that the war, which dragged on for 23 days, creating an unprecedented global energy crisis and turning the global economy upside down, was suspended for five days.
He issued this announcement with 12 hours remaining before the completion of the 48-hour deadline given to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was blocked by the Iranian military.
That deadline, which the whole world was watching in trepidation, was scheduled to end at 5:00 a.m. today (24th), Sri Lankan time.
Trump mentioned in his statement that productive discussions were held between the United States and Iran over the past two days to find a lasting solution to the Middle East war, and that these will continue throughout this week.
Therefore, Trump stated that he instructed the Department of Defence to postpone attacks on Iranian power plants and all energy infrastructure for a period of five days until successful results are obtained from those discussions.
Meanwhile, responding immediately to the announcement by Donald Trump, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran has issued a statement, which states that Trump was forced to retreat due to the warning issued by Iran that it would destroy all power plants in the Middle East in response to the threat made by Trump, giving 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps further announced that Iran did not hold any discussions with Trump, either directly or indirectly.
With the announcement by Donald Trump, crude oil prices in the world market have also decreased; the price of a barrel of Brent index crude oil, which was USD 112.90 yesterday (23rd) morning, fell to USD 96.00 by the evening, while the price of a barrel of Texas index crude oil fell from USD 98.61 to USD 92.36.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Bus fares increase: approval granted to increase fares by 12.19%; minimum fare is Rs. 30 while maximum fare is Rs. 2,422 – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. “Take all steps to conserve energy by making the public aware and getting their support” — President directs officials – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. OIC apologises to youth who was arrested over damaging the Israeli flag: Rs. 2 million in compensation to be paid – Divaina, Aruna, Thamilan
4. Petition for arresting Sallay under the PTA to be taken up on September 25 – Divaina, Thamilan
5. Indictments against Arjuna and Dhammika Ranatunga over causing Rs. 800 million loss to CEYPETCO – Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
6. The CIABOC questions Duminda Silva for three hours – Dinamina, Virakesari
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