Major stories in the Sinhala and Tamil press: Jan.27 – Feb.8

Over the past two weeks, the Sinhala and Tamil press converged with respect to four main stories. The four stories were on the: (i) 2025 Appropriation Bill; (ii) 77th Independence Day celebrations; (iii) attorney general’s announcement on the case of the assassination of veteran journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and (iv) reported shortage of rice in the country. There were two main stories featured exclusively in the Sinhala press. They were on the: (i) reported preparations by the SJB and the UNP to form an alliance and (ii) reported rise of underworld crimes. The Tamil press exclusively featured two main stories, and they were on: (i) commemorating Independence Day as a ‘Black Day’ in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and (ii) the delays in providing justice for the concerns of the Tamil community including enforced disappearances and release of lands.