DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: The truths of the Easter Sunday attacks will be revealed soon; many masterminds are exposed in the book launch titled ‘Who is the Main Mastermind?’. The struggle of our comrades in the 70s was democratic; the government cannot be brought down by useless criticism – points out JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva Thinakaran: An amazing plan to digitalise the economy; a historic journey toward a new milestone initiated by the president. QR payment promotion activities launched today; national campaigns in all three languages | “The government has the ability to solve problems” – Nalinda Jayatissa |
Thinakkural: “We possess special strength and fear no challenge; we cannot be defeated. The efforts of the opposition parties will never succeed” – JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva Thamilan: Decision required within 48 hours; massive attack on Iran: Tension following Trump’s warning! | “We rescued the American pilot inside Iran” – Trump’s announcement |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Strict new conditions for the new coal tender: security levy alone is Rs. 700 million; quality checks to be conducted while loading and unloading; will not be eligible if [the company] has not provided 20 tons of coal in the last three years Divaina: Scam that sold 100 collected luxury vehicles at lower prices raided: sold vehicles stolen and resold; eight individuals involved in the scam and 25 vehicles located; complain to the Peliyagoda Police if you’ve been a victim of this scam | The US saves its pilot 36 hours after the jet crashed into Iran: “a brave rescue” — Trump | “The statement President Trump made that the pilot was rescued is a lie” — Iran | “Will unleash hell on the enemies” — Iranian Military Spokesperson | Iran kicks Trump’s threat away
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Dinamina: Cases to be filed against Mahinda Rajapaksa if assets statement not provided before April 10: cannot postpone dates — CIABOC states Aruna: Government austerity instructions not implemented: Street lamp counting handed over to police — Order from the IGP Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Brief
“There will be no neutrality in the book by Gammanpila, who appeared for Suresh Sallay; it is a desperate desire to revive bankrupt politics” – Mujibur Rahman
Thinakaran
SJB member Mujibur Rahman claimed that the book written by former MP Udaya Gammanpila regarding the Easter Sunday attacks was intended to mislead the public and revive bankrupt politics.
Rahman noted that while there is no doubt Zahran Hashim and his group carried out the attacks, there are questions regarding who supported and protected them.
He argued that Gammanpila cannot be considered a neutral individual as he served as the lawyer for former intelligence officer Suresh Sallay, who is currently under investigation.
The MP further asserted that the book reflects Sallay’s own claims rather than new facts from an independent investigation, highlighting contradictions within the same political camp.
Rahman urged the government to ensure transparency by making all volumes of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry report available to the public to prevent political manoeuvring.
Military agreements must be cancelled; protest in front of the US Embassy
Virakesari The People’s Struggle Movement (PSM) held a protest yesterday (5th) in front of the US Embassy in Kollupitiya, demanding the immediate cancellation of military agreements between the Sri Lankan government and international powers. Protesters called for an end to US and Israeli war aggression and urged the government to withdraw from security and military pacts with the US, India, and Japan. Key figures in attendance included Ven. Rahula Thera, Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Propaganda Secretary Duminda Nagamuwa, and PSM activists Nuwan Bopage and Wasantha Mudalige. The demonstrators asserted that Sri Lanka should not become a scapegoat for the military needs of global superpowers, warning that such alliances threaten national sovereignty and future stability. Despite a heavy police presence, the group expressed their opposition by carrying placards and throwing effigies before the embassy. Officials, including Director General of Government Information Harsha Bandara and other ministry representatives, attended the event marking this legislative milestone. |
“The Rajapaksas can never be allowed to return; Anura is a good man” – says ShanakiyanThinakkural
ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam stated that the Rajapaksa family, who were ousted for the country’s welfare, will not be permitted to return to power. Speaking at a meeting with fisherfolk association representatives in Thuraineelavanai yesterday (5th), he questioned whether President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should be removed in favour of Namal Rajapaksa due to the current economic crisis and rising prices. While describing the president as a good person, Shanakiyan noted that some individuals around him lack experience or hold communalist views that hinder Tamil interests. The MP concluded by asserting that the Tamil people remain loyal to ITAK and will not be swayed, continuing the political legacy of his grandfather, S.M. Rasamanickam. |
“I am not here to play politics,” the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai stated firmly. He also provided an explanation regarding the meeting with Puducherry fisherfolk
Thamilan
Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner to South India Ganeshanathan Kethiswaran denied allegations yesterday (5th) that he participated in a meeting with fisherfolk organised by a political party.
Kethiswaran clarified that the engagement was a routine meeting and asserted that he was not in the region to engage in politics.
The clarification followed criticism from CWC member Pawan Khera, who claimed the meeting violated the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which prohibits foreign diplomats from interfering in the internal affairs of a host country.
Kethiswaran maintained that he has held several such discussions with various fisherfolk associations since assuming his official duties and denied participating in any political campaigning.
He further explained that the meeting took place in an open coastal area rather than on a formal political stage.
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
Train travels to Jaffna to commence from April 9
Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Aruna
The Department of Railways has announced that Northern Line services between Colombo Fort and Kankesanthurai are set to resume on Wednesday, April 9.
The route was temporarily closed to facilitate essential track maintenance and repairs.
With the successful completion of maintenance works, the regular schedule will be restored, once again linking the capital with the Northern Province.
This move is expected to significantly ease travel for the large number of passengers and commuters who rely on this vital rail corridor.
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Strict new conditions for the new coal tender: security levy alone is Rs. 700 million; quality checks to be conducted while loading and unloading; will not be eligible if [the company] has not provided 20 tons of coal in the last three years Lankadeepa Accordingly, Lanka Coal Pvt. Ltd has taken steps to tighten several conditions that must be fulfilled before the tender is given. The security levy for the tender is set at Rs. 700 million, a substantial sum that underscores the scale of the procurement process. To ensure strict adherence to standards, comprehensive quality checks will be conducted during both the loading and unloading phases of the operation. Furthermore, stringent eligibility criteria have been established, stating that any company that wishes to take up the tender must have a record of providing at least 20 tons of coal within the last three years to qualify for the contract. |
No service charges for payments below Rs. 5,000 paid using QR codesDinamina Financial institutions have taken steps to completely waive the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charged to merchants for all LankaQR transactions up to Rs. 5,000, effective from today (6th). The objective of this move is to provide small-scale merchants with the opportunity to accept digital payments without any additional cost. The primary goal is to steer Sri Lanka toward a cash-lite economy where the use of coins and notes is minimised. |
Government austerity instructions not implemented: street lamp counting handed over to police – Order from the IGP
Aruna
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has ordered all Officers-in-Charge of police stations and senior officers supervising those stations to count the number of light bulbs on billboards across the island and unnecessarily lit street lamps in each police division and submit a report to him.
The relevant order has been issued by the Inspector General’s Command Division to officers in charge of regional divisions, district officers and Headquarters Inspectors.
This order has been issued due to the non-implementation of government guidelines to use fuel and energy sparingly.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily News
“All of humanity is suffering due to one man’s desire to control the world: let us pray that [God] changes his mind” — Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith states at the Easter Mass
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, delivering the sermon at the main Easter Sunday mass, emphasised that world peace has been shattered, and that all of humanity is suffering due to one man’s desire to rule the whole world.
Addressing the gathering, Cardinal Ranjith stressed that Christianity is not merely about performing rituals or reading passages from the Holy Bible.
He urged the congregation to pray, especially at this time, for world peace.
He further added that, “peace has been broken because of the selfishness of a single person, a person driven by the desire to control the world, causing immense suffering to humanity. We must pray for a change in the hearts of such individuals, guiding them away from these difficult and destructive paths.”
Litro Gas increases by Rs. 775, while Laugfs Gas increases by Rs. 1,070
Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural
Litro Gas and Laugfs Gas companies have announced a substantial increase in the prices of domestic LP gas cylinders, effective from midnight yesterday (5th).
For Litro Gas, the price of a 12.5 kg cylinder has been increased by Rs. 775, bringing the new price to Rs. 4,765.
The price of a 5 kg cylinder has been increased by Rs. 308, bringing the new price to Rs. 1,910.
The price of a 2.3 kg cylinder has been increased by Rs. 140, and the new price is Rs. 890.
Laugfs Gas prices have been increased as follows: A 12.5 kg LP gas cylinder has been increased by Rs. 1,070, bringing the new price to Rs. 5,700.
The price of a 5 kg LP gas cylinder has been increased by Rs. 428, bringing the new price to Rs. 2,280.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The US saves its pilot 36 hours after the jet crashed into Iran: “a brave rescue” — Trump | “The statement President Trump made that the pilot was rescued is a lie” – Iran | “Will unleash hell on the enemies” – Iranian Military Spokesperson | Iran kicks Trump’s threat away – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
2. “435 post-internship doctors will get promotions before the new year” – Minister Nalinda Jayatissa – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran
3. China agrees to provide oil to Sri Lanka: first shipment to arrive next week – Divaina, Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakkural
4. Cases to be filed against Mahinda Rajapaksa if assets statement not provided before April 10: cannot postpone dates — CIABOC states – Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Thinakaran
5. ‘National QR Payment Promotion Programme’ to commence under the patronage of the president today – Divaina, Aruna, Thinakaran
6. No 3% profits: cannot pay salaries of workers – Filling Station owners to engage in silent protest today – Divaina, Aruna, Virakesari
7. GMOA strike continues for the fifth day | Doctors’ strike to end at 8:00 a.m. today; future steps to be decided today – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan
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