DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Two-week ceasefire between the USA and Iran; Iran guarantees safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz; oil price drops to 95 dollars | Iranians turned into a human chain to face a catastrophic attack Thinakaran: “Peace should prevail in the Middle East region soon” – President emphasises at the meeting with the ambassadors of the Arabian countries |
Thinakkural: Agreement on a two-week ceasefire! Will the war come to an end? Talks begin tomorrow; world breathes a sigh of relief | Northern rail services resume today | Strait of Hormuz is being opened; Iran to collect customs duty Thamilan: Temporary end to Gulf conflict; Iran-USA ceasefire! Mediated compromise through Pakistan will be in effect for two weeks | Pakistan proud over ceasefire; Prime Minister welcomes | “Historic victory” – Iran announces |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: Electricity bill to be increased again? Proposal handed over to the PUCSL Divaina: Iran and the US on a two-week ceasefire: 10 conditions from Iran: decision on a more conclusive agreement to be made on April 10
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Dinamina: A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran with the mediation of Pakistan; attacks halted; Hormuz Strait opened | Enough and more buses and trains to travel to hometowns for Avurudu [New Year] | No pardon for traffic violators during Avurudu [New Year] season – Police state Aruna: Price of Avurudu food items skyrockets due to increase in gas and raw material prices Anidda: This paper is published only on Fridays |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Newswire
“Government plans to increase electricity tariffs by 30 per cent” – Opposition Leader Sajith states
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday (8th) claimed that the government plans to increase electricity tariffs by 30% in May to generate Rs. 41.5 billion in revenue.
He noted that Rs. 20.6 billion of this amount is intended to cover losses incurred by purchasing low-quality coal, which resulted in a loss of 250 kW of power.
Premadasa argued that while the president initially promised to recover these losses from the responsible companies, the burden is now being shifted to 7.5 million consumers.
He further urged the government to immediately withdraw the proposed hike and provide relief to the 2.5 million families who rely on gas.
“Conspiracy to destroy the ethnic demographies of Tamils in Trincomalee District; 38 Buddhist temples for 500 Sinhalese” – MP Shanakiyan slams
Thinakkural, Virakesari ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam yesterday (8th) alleged systemic religious discrimination by the Department of Archaeology. He pointed out that while 58 shops belonging to the majority community operate at the Trincomalee Koneswaram Temple site, the temple is barred from even planting a tree on its 18-acre land. Highlighting further disparities, Shanakiyan noted that 38 new viharas are being built for fewer than 500 Sinhalese residents in Kuchchaveli, while Tamil Hindus are prohibited from worshipping or farming at historic sites like Vedukkunaari and Kurunthurmalai. He also condemned the demolition of the ‘Kanikkai Matha’ church in Palali-Myliddy by the military, calling these actions a planned agenda against minority religious rights. |
“Can Tamils go along with this government?” – ITAK MP Srinath questionsThinakkural
ITAK MP Elayathamby Srinath yesterday (8th) questioned how minority communities can trust the government when archaeological evidence is being fabricated, and their interests are disregarded. During a parliamentary debate on the current state of the country, he asserted that the Department of Archaeology’s projects function as “chauvinistic agendas.” Srinath highlighted that while a bell brought from London for the Trincomalee Koneswaram Temple has been denied installation for three years due to a lack of archaeological permits, 58 shops are operating at the site without any legal authorisation. He further noted that experts from minority backgrounds are excluded from the archaeological field, leading to the distortion of history to suit majority interests. Srinath urged the current administration not to repeat the mistakes of previous governments and to ensure that all citizens can live equally. |
“Should not allow truths to be buried within books by placing all the blame on Zahran” – MP Gnanamuththu Srineshan
Thinakaran ITAK MP Gnanamuththu Srineshan yesterday (8th) urged the government to take action to arrest the true masterminds behind the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks to ensure justice for the victims. Speaking during a parliamentary adjournment debate on the country’s current situation, Srineshan asserted that while suspects at the second and third levels have been apprehended, those who orchestrated the crime for political power remain at large. He warned against attempts to “bury the truth within books” by portraying Zahran Hashim as the primary culprit, stating that Hashim was merely a lower-level perpetrator. Srineshan emphasised that true justice will only be achieved when the first-level masterminds who planned the attacks for a regime change are identified and brought to justice. |
“Vedukkunari landmarks belong to Buddhism” – Minister Sunil Senevi assertsThamilan Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, yesterday (8th) denied allegations that the Department of Archaeology prioritises Buddhism, asserting that archaeological preservation is not based on religion. Responding to questions from ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, the minister stated that religious symbols at Vavuniya’s Vedukkunari Hill are of Buddhist origin, leading to steps to declare it a protected forest area. He further noted that a proposal has been made to gazette 229 acres around Kurunthurmalai as an archaeological site, while clarifying that the department has not interfered with fishing activities in the nearby Kurunthur tank. Regarding Trincomalee Koneswaram, the minister explained that the temple is situated on archaeological land managed by the Central Cultural Fund, though it is not classified as a singular archaeological site. He concluded by emphasising that while the government is responsible for protecting heritage, there is no prohibition on any community conducting religious worship in these areas. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
GMOA engages in a two-day strike
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has launched another island-wide strike starting today (9th) at 8:00 a.m.
The GMOA states that this strike will be in effect for a period of 48 hours.
The strike has been initiated, alleging that the Ministry of Health took steps to grant post-internship medical appointments while violating the conditions agreed upon with their association.
The island-wide strike, which had been conducted by the GMOA for several days, was temporarily suspended on Monday (6th) at 8:00 a.m.
A discussion between the GMOA and the Minister of Health, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, was also scheduled to be held today (9th).
Duty stations named for post-internship medical appointmentsLankadeepa, Dinamina The Ministry of Health yesterday (8th) announced the new duty stations for 436 new medical officers who applied for post-internship medical appointments. The Ministry of Health has informed these new medical officers that they must report for duty at the government hospitals or health institutions across the island to which they have been attached from today (9th) until Saturday (11th). The Ministry of Health states that the attachment of these new medical officers was carried out based on their applications and the merit list, using a transparent and scientific methodology with the aim of fulfilling medical requirements existing across the island. |
LIOC Super Diesel also increased by Rs. 28: one litre costs Rs. 600Lankadeepa, Divaina Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC) announced an increase in the prices of several fuel categories, effective from yesterday (8th). According to LIOC, the price of Super Diesel has been increased by Rs. 28, bringing the new retail price of a litre to Rs. 600. Additionally, LIOC has also revised the prices of other premium products. Accordingly, XtraGreen Diesel has been increased to Rs. 620 per litre, XtraMile Diesel has been increased to Rs. 590 per litre, and XtraPremium Petrol has been increased to Rs. 465 per litre. |
Enough and more buses and trains to travel to hometowns for Avurudu [New Year]
Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Aruna
Transport authorities state that sufficient buses and trains have been deployed for the public to travel to their hometowns for the New Year.
Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Sajeewa Nandana Kanakaratne, stated that 1,500 additional buses have been allocated for passengers travelling to their villages and returning to Colombo.
These extra buses will operate from today (9th) until April 13 for those leaving Colombo, and from April 15 to 21 for those returning.
Director General at the National Transport Commission of Sri Lanka, Nilan Miranda, noted that additional buses have been deployed for transport operations in coordination with the Road Passenger Transport Authority across all nine provinces.
Furthermore, Railways Superintendent Asanga Samarasinghe stated that several special trains have been added to service for passengers in addition to the normal train schedule.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: BBC
A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, with the mediation of Pakistan; attacks halted; Hormuz Strait opened
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural, Thamilan
A two-week ceasefire has been announced between the United States and Iran under the conditions of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the suspension of attacks against Iran.
Foreign media report that both parties reached an agreement for the conditional two-week ceasefire through the mediation of Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, just hours before the deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
While the deadline granted by the US President to Iran was scheduled to expire at 5:30 a.m. yesterday (Sri Lankan time), foreign media further report that PM Sharif facilitated the necessary environment for the agreement by holding telephone discussions with the US President and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi several hours prior.
During these discussions, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened for maritime traffic under military supervision if attacks against Iran were halted.
Following this notification, it is reported that the US President took steps to suspend the attacks and announced a two-week ceasefire.
Following the mediation, President Donald Trump described Iran’s 10-point proposal as a “workable basis on which to negotiate,” leading to the announcement of a temporary two-week ceasefire.
This suggested plan includes major concessions such as the lifting of all sanctions and the withdrawal of US forces.
Additionally, the Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif invited the delegations of Iran and the US to Islamabad on Friday, April 10, 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes.
“Sri Lanka looks forward to the early restoration of peace in the Middle East” — President Dissanayake states before the Council of Arab Ambassadors
Dinamina, Virakesari, Thinakaran
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the Council of Arab Ambassadors at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (8th) to discuss the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
During the briefing, the ambassadors outlined the significant challenges and threats to regional stability posed by the ongoing conflict.
President Dissanayake affirmed that Sri Lanka is committed to providing its maximum support, both independently and in collaboration with international partners, to foster peace and security within the bounds of international law.
The president emphasised Sri Lanka’s hope for a swift restoration of peace and voiced strong disapproval of military actions targeting nations not directly involved in the hostilities.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. The loss incurred due to substandard coal is Rs. 2,237.7 million: a fine can be charged — Audit report reveals – Divaina, Thamilan
2. “Expedite the constructions of the houses damaged by the disaster [Cyclone Ditwah]” — PM issues directives to officials – Dinamina, Thinakaran
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