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DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Local government election issue; court injunction extended until today | Former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith sentenced to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment; sister-in-law who served as the private secretary also punished: Colombo High Court delivers verdict on corruption charges | PM Modi to be welcomed at Independence Square tomorrow | Arun Thambimuthu arrested | Immigration and emigration office to be established in Jaffna | “Cancelling Indian projects during PM Modi’s Sri Lanka visit is inappropriate” – Ranil (Wickremesinghe) Thinakaran: Ex-North Central Chief Minister Ranjith sentenced to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment: Colombo High Court delivers verdict | Indian PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka tomorrow; security tightened in Colombo | Six, including one woman, arrested in Nilaveli for obstructing police duty | Private sector salary hike: Amendment bill to be tabled in parliament in May | “Government condemns attacks on Gaza people” – Minister Nalinda (Jayatissa) | New regional immigration (passport) office to be established in Jaffna by end of this month | “Sri Lanka to provide USD 1 million in aid to Myanmar” – Arun Hemachandra |
Thinakkural: “Government on high alert: Precautionary measures in place to prevent attacks; extremism under scrutiny; authorities to gather information on individuals spreading radical views” – Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda (Jayatissa) | Tamil Nadu assembly passes resolution on retrieving Katchatheevu Island tabled by CM Stalin | Four helicopters prepared for PM Modi’s arrival in Sri Lanka; landing at Katunayake | Indian security team set up camp in Colombo ahead of Modi’s visit | Concerns over rejected nominations lead to suspension of election work until today Thamilan: Ex-Chief Minister Ranjith, Shanthi Chandrasena sentenced to 16 years rigorous imprisonment for corruption | Parliamentary sessions will be held from April 8 –10 | Arun Thambimuthu arrested | Court of Appeal extends order to halt election activities; ban will continue until today | “Government to discuss key issues, including Katchatheevu, during PM Modi’s visit” – Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda (Jayatissa) | Ranil urges government to honour joint statement with India, provide clear reason if government is rejecting Adani’s projects | The economy fed by Ranil continues; MP Dilith (Jayaweera) points out that the government has no specific plan |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Former Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith imprisoned for 16 years; has taken the fuel alliance and also pumped fuel worth Rs. 8 million; the sister-in-law, who had been his private secretary, also imprisoned | Divaina: Former chief minister and secretary of the North Central Province imprisoned for 16 years Ada: A 16-year-imprisonment sentence for S.M. Ranjith and his sister-in-law |
Mawbima: Former Chief Minister of the North Central Province S.M. Ranjith and his sister-in-law imprisoned for 16 years; “Cannot give lenient punishments for allegations like these” – The judge | Marawila magistrate suspended | Rice imported again Dinamina: Former Chief Minister of the North Central Province S.M. Ranjith imprisoned for 16 years Aruna: Ven. Rajanganaya Thera expelled from the Ramanna Chapter; “Stop making obscene comments in public” – The court advises Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: ETV Bharat
Tamil Nadu state assembly unanimously passes private member’s motion to reclaim Katchatheevu
Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural,Thamilan
Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, the Tamil Nadu assembly unanimously passed a resolution on April 2, 2025 urging the central government to reclaim Katchatheevu Island. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who moved the resolution, emphasised that retrieving the island was the only permanent solution to protect Tamil Nadu fisherfolk from arrests and boat seizures by the Sri Lankan navy. Stalin criticised the Centre for inaction, citing over 500 fishermen arrests in 2024 alone. He called for amending the 1974 agreement and urged PM Modi to raise the issue with Sri Lankan leaders. BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan supported the resolution but questioned why the DMK had not acted when in power. She cited an RTI claim that former CM Karunanidhi was aware of the island’s transfer. Stalin refuted this, stating that the DMK had opposed the decision. The resolution underscores Tamil Nadu’s demand for Katchatheevu’s retrieval, urging urgent action from the central government.
Batticaloa politician Arun Thambimuthu arrested over Rs. 40 million fraud involving foreign investor
Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan Arun Thambimuthu, a political figure from Batticaloa and former Leader of the Tamil Liberation Front, has been arrested in Pasikuda by the Financial Fraud Investigation Unit from Colombo. Police sources stated that Thambimuthu was apprehended at a hotel in Pasikuda based on a complaint alleging that he defrauded a foreign individual of funds worth Rs. 40 million. Special investigators from Kollupitiya led the arrest operation. Following his arrest, authorities are reportedly making arrangements to transfer him to the Batticaloa Police Station for further investigation. |
New regional immigration office (passport office) to be established in Jaffna by end of this month
Thinakaran, Virakesari The cabinet has approved the establishment of a regional office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration within the Jaffna District Secretariat premises this April, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced. Currently, the Northern Province’s only immigration office is in Vavuniya, requiring residents from Jaffna, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu to travel long distances for services. Due to the high number of passport applications in the region, the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee, chaired by the president on January 31, 2025, proposed opening a regional office to provide faster services. The cabinet approved the proposal, submitted by the minister of public security and parliamentary affairs, to enhance accessibility for Northern Province residents. |
Private sector salary hike: Amendment bill to be tabled in parliament in May
Thinakaran
The Ministry of Labor has announced that it will introduce amendments to the law to increase the minimum monthly wage of private sector employees to Rs. 27,000. Secretary of the Ministry S.M. Piyatissa stated that the proposed amendments will be submitted to parliament in May, after being referred to the Cabinet. Currently, the minimum monthly wage for private sector employees stands at Rs. 21,000. The ministry secretary also mentioned that this wage increase is in line with the budget proposal for this year. Following this adjustment, the minimum monthly wage for private sector employees is scheduled to rise to Rs. 35,000 next year.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Mawratanews.lk
Marawila magistrate suspended over allegations of irregularities
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima
The Judicial Service Commission announced that Marawila Magistrate Additional District Judge Asela Silva was suspended from service over allegations regarding irregularities. The decision had been made following investigations conducted by two judges regarding the relevant irregularities. Sources further claim that a report on Silva’s irregularities has also been released.
Fee for broadcasting election results has been increased by 1,300% – Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Guild
Divaina, Aruna The Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Guild stated that they are considering withdrawing from broadcasting activities for this year’s Local Government (LG) elections. The reason behind this decision is the Election Commission’s 1,300% broadcasting fee hike compared to the fees charged for covering major elections in previous years. Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Guild Asanga Jayasuriya and Secretary Laksiri Wickrama have written to the chair of the Election Commission urging him to reconsider the decision, and maintain the same fees as in previous years for election result broadcasts. The letter also stressed that broadcasting election results is a fundamental aspect of the public’s right to information. |
IMF representatives to arrive in Sri Lanka today
Dinamina A group of representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scheduled to arrive in the country today (3rd) to further discuss Sri Lanka’s economic policies and reform measures. The delegation is scheduled to remain in the country from today (3rd) to April 11, and hold further discussions with the country’s political and financial authorities. This will be the first delegation to visit Sri Lanka since the third review of the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to Sri Lanka was successfully completed on February 28, when its executive board decided to provide a financial facility of USD 334 million. |
CID investigations on 22 who have misused the President’s Fund
Dinamina
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated investigations into 22 individuals who allegedly misused funds from the President’s Fund during the previous government. The CID stated that many of these individuals are politicians and even powerful figures from previous governments. A senior police officer stated that an order was issued to conduct investigations into 24 accounts and six online transactions related to the misuse of the funds. The investigation was initiated by the CID upon receiving a complaint. The CID expects that more information will be revealed after examining the relevant accounts with the assistance of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Lanka Sara
Modi to visit Sri Lanka tomorrow | Indian VIP security team to also visit Sri Lanka | Government prepares to welcome Indian PM; talks to cover multiple issues, including Katchatheevu
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi will be arriving in the country tomorrow (4th) for his official visit to Sri Lanka. This multi-regional visit will include official discussions and project inaugurations. A formal reception will be held at Independence Square on April 5, followed by bilateral talks. One of the key topics under discussion is Katchatheevu Island, with the Sri Lankan government stating that decisions will be announced after the visit. Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that several bilateral agreements covering energy, health, the digital economy and security will be signed between Sri Lanka and India during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. Additionally, in anticipation of his arrival, the Sri Lanka Police have announced a special traffic plan to ensure smooth transit and security. Accordingly, on April 4 the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and Baseline Road will be closed from 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm. Furthermore, on April 5 several roads around key locations such as Galle Face, Independence Square and the Ape Gama premises in Battaramulla will experience intermittent closures. An Indian VIP security team will also be reportedly arriving in Sri Lanka together with the premier to ensure his security.
Former Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith imprisoned for 16 years; has taken the fuel allowance and also pumped fuel worth Rs. 8 million; the sister-in-law, who had been his private secretary, also imprisoned
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Former Chief Minister of the North Central Province S.M. Ranjith and his former Private Secretary Shanthi Chandrasena were each sentenced to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment on corruption charges brought by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The CIABOC alleged that S.M. Ranjith while serving as the chief minister of the North Central Province had made arrangements to allocate fuel for the official vehicle of his private secretary Shanthi Chandrasena despite her fuel allowance being already added to her salary. S.M. Ranjith is the brother of former Minister S.M. Chandrasena, while Shanthini Chandrasena who served as Ranjith’s secretary is S.M. Chandrasena’s wife. The Bribery Commission filed a case against Shanthi Chandrasena for allegedly obtaining fuel worth Rs. 2,680,528 and Rs. 5,379,623 through vouchers during this period. Both she and Ranjith have also been charged with influencing provincial councillors to release two vehicles in addition to the chief minister’s two official cars and security vehicle.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Orders issued to accept the nominations that were rejected because of birth certificates | Local government election issue; court injunction extended until today – Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. “Do not talk ill of the Adani company during Modi’s visit” – Wickremesinghe | Ranil urges government to honour joint statement with India, provide clear reason if government is rejecting Adani’s projects – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
3. The British sanctions on four including Shavendra: A committee to be appointed to manage future steps – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Thinakkural
4. Dismissing Deshabandu: Investigation team recommendation to be debated on April 8 – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Thamilan
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