31 March 2026 | Vol. 12, #59

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: Electricity tariffs will increase by an average of 10% starting tomorrow, April 1, 2026, following approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) | “National security is in danger” – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa | “I will reveal the mastermind today” – Udaya Gammanpila says

Thinakaran: “Maintain economy in electricity operations” – Chairperson of the Energy Authority T.M.W.J. Bandara | New electricity tariffs from April; 4.3% increase for 0-30 units

Thinakkural: Electricity tariff increased by 10% | “The increase is 25%, not what the government claims; the electricity tariff hike is unacceptable; this is just the government’s exploitation formula,” says Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance | Special birthday celebration for Ishara at the CID office!

Thamilan: Electricity tariffs have increased! The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has granted its approval | Forensic Audit on Keheliya’s drug procurement; Attorney General’s Department announcement

Lankadeepa: The electricity bill increased by 10%; no change in fixed charges; a higher rate between 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Divaina: The electricity bill rises by 10%; approval to increase electricity tariffs by 14.4% for state institutions; no tariff hike for religious institutions with a consumption of less than 180 units; charges increased for state institutions and industrial and hotel sectors; “Although the war, substandard coal and the drought were not considered this time, they will be considered if there is a request to do so” – The PUCSL 

Dinamina: The electricity bill increased; comes into effect from April 1; no increase for religious institutions with consumption below 180 units; the increase for the first 30 units is Rs. 15; for 31-60 units it’s Rs. 45; for 61-90 units it’s Rs. 120

Aruna: Electricity tariffs increased by 10%; a low-tariff method to be devised for factories and hotels on holidays

Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays

TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES

Defamation case filed against Ratnajeevan Hoole claiming Rs. 1,000 million in damages

Thinakaran

Lawyer K. Guruparan filed a defamation case in the Jaffna District Court last Friday (27th) against former member of the Election Commission (EC) Ratnajeevan Hoole.

The lawsuit follows an article published in the Colombo Telegraph on March 28, 2024, which alleged that a group of lawyers led by Guruparan met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to protect those involved in forging affidavits.

Guruparan asserts that the claims are defamatory and intended to damage his professional integrity and reputation.

Represented by lawyers Benarsi Pradeepan and T. Thinesh, Guruparan is seeking Rs. 1,000 million in damages from Hoole.

“The increase is 25%, not what the government claims; the electricity tariff hike is unacceptable; this is just the government’s exploitation formula” – Ananda Palitha

Thinakkural

AAnanda Palitha, the organiser of the Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance, accused the government of using an “exploitation formula” to improperly increase electricity tariffs through the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).

Speaking at a press conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader on Monday (30th), Palitha called on all opposition parties to unite against this move.

He noted that while the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) requested a 13.59% increase, the actual hike reached 25% for consumers using 0-30 units and those exceeding 180 units.

Palitha argued that the increase is unjustifiable given that coal and fuel prices in 2025 are lower than in 2024, and the CEB should be recording profits.

He further criticised the government for failing to utilise full reservoirs during rainy seasons and for increasing tariffs on religious sites and street lighting, thereby stripping citizens of their basic rights.

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has examined the Department of Archaeology

Thamilan

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), chaired by MP Kabir Hashim, met on March 19, 2026, to review the Department of Archaeology’s progress on previous recommendations and its current performance.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the department failed to submit a mandated report on non-gazetted archaeological sites within the one-month deadline set on January 6.

Consequently, the chairperson directed the department to provide a comprehensive report within two weeks detailing site data, reasons for gazetting delays, and expected timelines.

COPA also expressed concern over the department’s failure to establish a centralised information system and noted that it had consistently requested less than the 25% revenue allocation due from the Central Cultural Fund.

“National security is in danger” – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

Virakesari

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stated that the national security achieved in the past has been compromised, with the country facing five tragic incidents over the last seven years.

Speaking on Monday (30th) at the Sri Jayewardenepura Jayasekarama Vihara, he noted that events ranging from the Easter Sunday terror attacks to the current Middle East conflict have eroded security across all sectors.

Premadasa emphasised that the threat extends beyond military safety to encompass economic, social, political, health, and educational instability.

He expressed particular concern over Houthi rebel attacks threatening to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which could create severe challenges for Sri Lanka regarding essential food and fuel supplies.

SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES

RMV chief remanded until April 10

Dinamina, Divaina

Magistrate W.M.M.I. Wasala ordered that the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Kamal Amarasinghe, who was arrested and remanded by the CID for allegedly aiding the fraudulent registration of a vehicle by altering its chassis number, be further remanded until April 10.

The order was given after Amarasinghe appeared before the Pilessa Magistrate’s Court yesterday (30th).

The CID arrested Amarasinghe on March 27 on charges including the fraudulent preparation of vehicle data and the concealment of relevant files.

The CIABOC rejects the request to withdraw case against former Minister Piyankara [Jayaratne]

Dinamina

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) recently rejected a request by former Minister of Civil Aviation Piyankara Jayaratne to withdraw a corruption case filed against him.

The request, made by President’s Counsel Shavendra Fernando, who appeared for the defence, sought to settle the matter under Section 67 of the Anti-Corruption Act by pleading guilty in exchange for a fine or other conditions set by the commission.

However, CIABOC Assistant Director General Thanuja Bandara informed the court that the defendant is not eligible to make such a request under the specified provision.

Accordingly, Colombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela accepted the commission’s submission and ordered the case to proceed to trial.

The charges, which relate to a payment made during the ‘Deyata Kirula’ exhibition held to mark former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s inauguration, were read out to the defendant in court.

The case is scheduled to be called again on May 6, 2026.

COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS