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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Disclose the agreements signed (with India) before May 6” – The SJB demands; questions why the agreement was signed with India with conditions attached | Photograph: The chariot festival of the Trincomalee Thirukoneswaram Kovil Thinakaran: “Why should the roads in Kilinochchi continue to be closed? We have [even] reopened the road in front of the Presidential Palace that used to be closed” – The president questions in Kilinochchi | The exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha concludes; around 0.5 million devotees visit over 10 days | The 24-hour passport issuance service, which was launched to end the era of long queues, is coming to an end |
Thinakkural: “If Vavuniya North goes to the ruling party, they will change the ethnic demography; settlements are happening at a rapid pace after the war; this danger must be removed immediately” – Sumanthiran insists | “Is this an attempt to deceive by using Trump? [Where is the joint statement between Sri Lanka and the US?]” – Sajith Premadasa | Final notice to Ranil to appear for questioning today! Thamilan: “The ‘telephone’ symbol [the SJB] is outdated; the relationship with the SJB is under review” – Rauf Hakeem |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: New vehicle sales dry up; “Prices are too high, cannot sell” – Importers say Divaina: Winners of the A/L “trophy”: Biosciences – Sadini from Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala; Maths – Lesandu from Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Gampaha; Engineering Technology – Ravihansa from Mayurapada Central College, Narammala; Commerce – Amasha from Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo; Arts – Senali from Ratnawali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha; Biosystems Technology – Nethmi from Sandalanka Central College; 9,457 students score 3A’s; 29,244 fail all subjects; 456 results suspended; the majority of those who qualified for university entrance are from the North Western Province; more female candidates qualified than male; “Do not publicise exam results on social media” – The commissioner general of examinations Ada: The “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” (the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic) ends: One million pilgrims pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic; 60,000 [paid homage] daily; 400,000 missed out; a special opportunity for Municipal Council workers; 24 out of 61 schools that were closed to reopen today; “Scientific counting with new technologies could have reduced issues” – The governor of the Central Province says |
Mawbima: A/L results: 9,457 students obtain 3A’s; 65% qualify for university admission; the majority from the North Western province | The “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” (the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic) ends: 600,000 get a chance to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, while 400,000 did not Dinamina: A/L results: 65% qualify for university admission; 9,457 obtain 3A’s; 29,244 fail all three subjects; the results of 456 suspended | “Legal action to be taken if Ranil doesn’t come today” – The CIABOC Aruna: 29,244 fail all three subjects at the A/L exam; the majority of the students qualifying for university admission are from the North Western Province Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ceylon Today
A delegation from the EU to arrive today to discuss GSP+
Thinakkural, Thamilan, Virakesari
A delegation from the EU is to arrive in Sri Lanka today (28th) to discuss the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) scheme. It is reported that during its visit to Sri Lanka, the delegation will review Sri Lanka’s progress on the GSP+ conditions and engage in discussions.
“Why should the roads in Kilinochchi continue to be closed? We have [even] reopened the road in front of the Presidential Palace that used to be closed” – The president questions
Thinakaran Addressing an election campaign in Kilinochchi, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that they have reopened the road in front of Temple Trees and the road in front of the Presidential Palace that used to be closed, and added that all roads that are closed will be reopened to the public. Dissanayake added that there had been a war in the area for 30 years in which hundreds of thousands of people were displaced, many villages were lost, and many have lost children, relatives, homes and properties. He further explained that while civilian lands had been taken for military camps in the past for security reasons, the government is now holding talks with military leaders regarding those lands, and pledged that necessary steps will be taken to return all lands that can be released to the people. |
“If Vavuniya North goes to the ruling party, they will change the ethnic demography; settlements are happening at a rapid pace after the war; this danger must be removed immediately” – Sumanthiran insists
Thinakkural Acting General Secretary of the ITAK M.A. Sumanthiran stated that the Tamil people should use this election to tell the world that the political aspirations of the Tamil people remain the same and that there has been no change in them. Addressing an election campaign in Vavuniya, Sumanthiran added that if the ruling party had the power to rule some of the local government bodies, they would have easily implemented the task of changing the demography of those areas. |
“Disclose the agreements signed (with India) before May 6” – The SJB demands; questions why the agreements were signed with India with conditions attached
Virakesari
SJB MP Ajith P. Perera questioned why (the government) should wait for (India’s) permission to disclose the agreement if what had been signed between the two countries was a “friendly” agreement. Perera further noted that if the agreement signed with India is not disclosed before May 6, the government will be considered to have betrayed the sovereignty of the motherland.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
A police team appointed to assist the committee of inquiry on Deshabandu
Dinamina, Ada
Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has appointed a four-member police team, including an assistant superintendent from the CID, to assist the three-member committee of inquiry investigating IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon over allegations of gross abuse of power. The committee had previously written to the acting IGP, requesting the nomination of a police team to support the ongoing investigation. This was reaffirmed during the committee’s second meeting in parliament on April 25.
“Let’s build a country free from war for future generations” – The president
Mawbima Speaking at a public gathering held in Puthukkudiyiruppu ahead of the upcoming local government election, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urged the Tamil diaspora to invest in the Mankulam Industrial Zone, emphasising that they can always support their motherland wherever they are. He also urged that they build a country free from war for future generations. Additionally, Dissanayake revealed plans to construct an international cricket stadium in Jaffna. |
“India given a 51% stake in the Colombo Dockyard” – Jayagoda
Aruna The People’s Struggle Alliance has raised concerns over the government’s plan to transfer a 51% stake of the Colombo Dockyard to India’s Mazagon Dockyard, a decision made during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. This move follows the announcement made by Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard Company to sell its majority stake, which it has held since 1993. Mazagon Dockyard, a company known for manufacturing warships and submarines, is expected to begin production activities at the Colombo Port in May. Speaking at a public gathering in Hambantota, Executive Member of the People’s Struggle Alliance Pubudu Jayagoda warned that this transfer poses a significant security risk to the people of Sri Lanka. |
“We will make Sajith Premadasa the president by December” – Hashim
Dinamina
Speaking to the media, SJB MP Kabir Hashim has vowed to make Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa the president of the country by December. Hashim highlighted that despite claims that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would not be ousted for 20 years, he was sent home in just one and a half years. Hashim also criticised the government’s economic management, noting that while experts say the country needs over 8% growth to repay its debts, the ADB predicts just 3.5% growth this year. He added that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government has failed to provide solutions, and emphasised that Premadasa is the best option to lead the country forward.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily News
A/L results: 65% qualify for university admission
Dinamina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Ada, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara announced that out of 274,361 students who sat for the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination in 2024, 177,588 — nearly 65% — have qualified for university admission. Jayasundara also stated that the results of 456 candidates have been suspended due to anomalies. According to reports, 9,457 students achieved 3A’s, while 29,244 failed all three subjects. The majority of those who qualified for university entrance are from the North Western Province.
The “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” concludes
Mawbima, Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Ada, Thinakkural, Thinakaran
The “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” (the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic) concluded yesterday (27th) at 5:50 pm. The event, which commenced on April 18 after 16 years, was attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. While approximately 600,000 devotees paid homage at the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in Kandy, 400,000 were unable to do so. Of the 61 schools closed for the event, 24 are due to reopen today (28th). The event generated around 600 tons of waste. Central Province Governor Sarath Abeykoon commented that many issues could have been avoided from the outset had the number of pilgrims been tracked using modern technologies.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Ranil Wickremesinghe summoned to the CIABOC; “Legal action to be taken if Ranil doesn’t come today” – The CIABOC – Dinamina, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran
2. “The SJB is outdated, do not vote for them” – Hakeem – Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. “Alongside police and security forces, village-level civil and community defence committees can be formed with public participation to protect each area” – The opposition leader – Dinamina, Thinakkural
4. “The government has signed seven deals with India” – Gammanpila – Aruna, Thamilan
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