11 July 2025 | Vol. 11, #119

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS

Virakesari: “We will submit proposals for revision of tariffs; if 30% is implemented, it can be managed” – Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma | U.S.
tariff reduced to 30%; U.S. President Donald Trump informs President Anura in a letter

Thinakaran: This newspaper was unavailable at the time of publishing FrontPage

Thinakkural: U.S. tariff reduction for Sri Lankan exports: U.S. President Donald Trump has officially
announced a 14% reduction in tariffs on goods imported from Sri Lanka, bringing the total tariff to 30%; writes a letter to President Anura; the highest reduction for Sri Lanka | All 65 skeletons fully exhumed from the mass grave; exhumation to resume on 21 | Threats to Chemmani mass grave complainant to the attention of
the magistrate | “30% tariff will have a major impact” – Sajith | “We will continue to talk about further tariff reductions” – Central Bank governor

Thamilan: 30% tariff for Sri Lanka; President Trump announced the tariff details | Pakistan’s Field Marshal Munir to visit Sri Lanka

Lankadeepa: Three SDIGs receive death threats from Dubai; complaints filed with IGP | Jayewardenapura Hospital grappling with multiple challenges: new director appointed while the current director was on medical leave; shortage of specialists worsens: one doctor remanded, another has resigned

Divaina: “More taxes may be added to the newly imposed 30% tariff” – Finance Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma; “We secured the reduction thanks to our honest talk and we still have the opportunity to negotiate further” – Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe | “The highest reduction among taxes given to Sri Lanka” – Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra; “President Trump must understand that the world has changed” – Brazilian President Lula states responding to Trump| “We must identify new markets; import tariffs were reduced as a result of the government’s discussions” – Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe | “It would be more advantageous to enter into a trade agreement with the U.S.” – Prof. Wasantha Athukorala

Ada: “95% of criminal cases lost due to weaknesses in police investigations: success rate falls from 63% to 5%” – HRCSL Commissioner Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewa

Mawbima: “Talk to the U.S. to reduce the tax” – President issues directives to officials; “No intention to increase taxes on U.S. products” – Senior Consultant for Economic Affairs and Finance Duminda Hulangamuwa |
“If the tax on U.S. goods is increased, the tariff too will be increased further” – Trump warns | “Trump must be pressured by American public representatives” – Premadasa

Dinamina: Trump reduces tax to 30% from the previous 44% | “Sri Lanka has received the highest tariff reduction in the region” – Secretary of the Ministry of Finance

Aruna: The 30% Trump tariff: “The apparel industry is in danger” – Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) | “We are in a good place” – CBSL governor | “This is a big relief” – Secretary of the Ministry of Finance

Anidda: New information on the Easter Sunday attack revealed: Sarah had been taken away by an army major; Zahran’s brother, who spoke to Haadia, has been shot; the woman who disclosed the location of the Sainthamaruthu house also killed; fears grow that investigations may expose involvement of government personnel