DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “Russia ready to supply fuel to Sri Lanka” – Visiting Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin assures President Anura Kumara | “Act wisely before it is too late” – Donald Trump issues strong warning to Iran’s leadership | Produce Sallay in court; record a statement from Asad Maulana – The court orders the CID | The Court of Appeal quashes Raviraj murder verdict and orders fresh High Court retrial Thinakaran: New twist in former MP Raviraj murder case; suspicions over involvement of Pillayan’s associates and certain navy personnel | Russia agrees to supply fuel to Sri Lanka | A/L examination results to be released before the [Sinhala and Tamil] New Year – The commissioner general of examinations expresses confidence | Eligibility to continue in office: The ‘Quo Warranto’ petition against MP Archchuna to be heard again on July 2 |
Thinakkural: The National Agrarian Unity issues severe warning: “If the fertiliser crisis is unresolved, ministers’ and MPs’ residences will be surrounded” | The US avoids responding to President Anura Kumara’s claim that permission was denied to US warplanes | Iranian naval commander who blocked the Strait of Hormuz, killed – Israel announces; Iran remains silent | Russia agrees to supply fuel to Sri Lanka – assurance from the Russian deputy minister Thamilan: The Gulf war severely disrupts fertiliser imports; rising prices spark fears of impact on agriculture | The High Court verdict in Raviraj murder case quashed; the Court of Appeal orders retrial | Fuel quota: The decision today | Iranian commander killed in Israeli attack | “Do not delay!” – Trump warns Iran
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Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: An incident of three questions being leaked at the [Grade 5] scholarship exam: Contempt of court over not paying the Rs. 3 million in compensation; indictments issued against the former director of the National Institute of Education; hearing of the SC case on May 14 Divaina: Two brothers from the army who came to murder the owner of “Dolosmahe” for an order worth Rs. 200,000 from the Dubai underworld, caught: The bomb that was thrown into the house of the businessperson has not gone off; the two have come home on holiday and set the plan in motion | Fading fires reignited: Halt all attacks; pay compensation for damages — Iran puts forth five conditions to end the war; “The decision on the war lies in our hands” – Iran; “Attacks are going to be severe if you do not want peace talks” – The US
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Dinamina: Property worth Rs. 3,270 million belonging to drug dealers seized through the “Ratama Ekata” mission, frozen: Red notices issued for 89 who fled the country; drugs worth Rs. 101 billion seized; nine fishing trawlers apprehended | Russia agrees to provide fuel to Sri Lanka: “Russia is prepared to help Sri Lanka in any difficult situation” – Russian deputy minister of energy assures the president Aruna: 21-day imprisonment for hoarding four litres of petrol: “The fuel was kept to trim the grass of [the suspect’s] garden for the parents’ almsgiving” – The lawyer of the suspect states: The chief incumbent of the temple has also given a letter stating that an almsgiving would be held at [the suspect’s] residence Anidda: The executive presidency not abolished; no new constitution either |
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Siyatha News
The Court of Appeal orders a retrial in the Nadarajah Raviraj murder case
Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
Yesterday (26th), the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial of the 2016 High Court case that acquitted five suspects, including three navy personnel, in the assassination of former TNA MP Nadarajah Raviraj.
A bench comprising Justices Sashi Mahendran and Amal Ranaraja ordered a new trial in the High Court following appeals filed by the attorney general (AG) and the aggrieved party against the initial verdict. Attorney Mathisuthan, representing the victim’s family, noted that the case has faced significant delays, with the appeals pending for nearly nine years since 2017.
The legal counsel stated that a former pradeshiya sabha member, who had previously turned state witness, alleged that the assassination was carried out at the request of former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (alias Pillayan). The prosecution believes that a group associated with Pillayan and certain members of the Sri Lanka Navy were involved in the crime, which took place when MP Raviraj and his bodyguard were shot dead in Colombo on November 10, 2006. The counsel indicated that the aggrieved party has witnesses prepared to testify if a fresh inquiry is conducted, citing dissatisfaction with the previous trial.
A federal solution is essential, Shanakiyan informs the Canadian high commissioner
Thinakaran, Thamilan ITAK MP S. Shanakiyan met with Canada’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Isabelle Martin in Colombo to discuss a long-term political solution for the Tamil people. During the private meeting, Shanakiyan emphasised that a federal-based governing structure and genuine devolution of power are necessary to address the fundamental issues faced by the Tamil people. He pointed out that long-standing concerns—including justice for the disappeared, land grabbing, military occupation, and the lack of accountability for human rights violations—remain unresolved. Shanakiyan noted that countries such as Canada, which manage diverse ethnic and linguistic populations through federalism, serve as an important precedent for Sri Lanka. |
The Court of Appeal to hear the Quo Warranto petition against MP Ramanathan ArchchunaThinakaran
The Court of Appeal announced yesterday (26th) that the Quo Warranto petition challenging the eligibility of Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna to hold his parliamentary seat will be taken up for hearing on July 2. The petition, filed by Leader of the Abhinava Niwahal Peramuna Oshala Herath, was heard before a bench comprising Justices Mayadunne Corea and Mahen Gopallawa, where the petitioner alleged that Ramanathan violated parliamentary election laws by filing his nomination while still serving as a government medical officer. The court has set a final date for the first respondent to file objections, and accordingly, the next hearing has been officially scheduled for July 2. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily Mirror
A suspect sentenced to 21 days in prison for possessing four litres of petrol
Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Aruna
The Nikaweratiya Magistrate Court sentenced a suspect to 21 days in prison after he was found guilty of illegally possessing four litres of petrol. The suspect was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 1,500. The sentence was imposed after the suspect, who was arrested by the Kobeigane Police along with four litres of petrol, pleaded guilty to the charges when produced in court.
Increase fuel transportation fees by 25% – The Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners’ AssociationAruna, Anidda
The Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners’ Association has requested that fuel transportation charges be raised by 25%. The president of the association, A.M.H. Adhikari, noted that the government has been formally notified of this proposal. According to Adhikari, a special meeting regarding the request was set to take place yesterday (26th). |
Sallay returns following treatment for ear ailmentDinamina, Anidda Former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay, who was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital due to a sudden ear ailment, was taken back to the CID yesterday (26th) after receiving treatment. Sallay, who is being held under detention orders by the CID, was brought to the National Hospital on Wednesday (25th) and was admitted to Ward 7 for residential treatment following medical observation. |
The executive presidency not abolished; no new constitution either
Anidda
Internal sources of the government and the NPP claim that the present government has decided to continue the executive presidency without abolishing it. The sources further claim that it has also been decided not to draft a new constitution.
Accordingly, the newspaper reports that the next presidential election will also be held under the current constitution. The report further states that both the NPP and the JVP agree on nominating the current president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as a candidate for the next presidential election as well.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: CBSL
Russia agrees to provide fuel to Sri Lanka: “Russia is prepared to help Sri Lanka in any difficult situation” – Russian deputy minister of energy assures the president
Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
Newspapers report that during discussions held with Sri Lankan officials yesterday (26th), Russian Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Marshavin has agreed to supply refined fuel to Sri Lanka. The discussion was held between Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin and his delegation, Sri Lankan Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Labour Anil Jayantha and CEYPETCO officials.
Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Mayura Neththikumarage stated that the quantity and other details pertaining to the order will be discussed during additional talks scheduled for today (27th).
Newspapers further report that the Russian deputy minister of energy, who is on an official visit to the country, also met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Marshavin emphasised during this meeting that Russia is prepared to support Sri Lanka in facing any challenges arising from the Middle East conflict.
The magistrate rejects the request to remove Shani Abeysekara from the Easter Sunday investigations: The CID ordered to produce Sallay in court on April 22
Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari
Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara rejected the request made by the defence, representing former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Chief Suresh Sallay, to remove the Easter Sunday case from the supervision of CID Director Shani Abeysekara.
The magistrate rejected the request, ruling that no strong grounds had been presented to transfer the probe to a different police unit. The order was made when the case involving Sallay, who is being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), was taken up yesterday (26th). During the proceedings, the defence argued that a fair investigation could not be expected under Abeysekara, alleging that the inquiry was politically influenced and selectively handled.
The court also ordered the CID to produce Sallay in court on April 22.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. A computer malfunction: The ID office closed – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
2. Fading fires reignited: “Halt all attacks: pay compensation for damages” – Iran puts forth five conditions to end the war; “The decision on the war is in our hands” – Iran; “Attacks are going to be severe if you do not want peace talks” –The US | Iran calls for top leadership! Trump states that he was invited to lead the Islamic Republic of Iran after Ali Khamenei’s death and that he turned it down – Divaina, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. Iranian navy chief who was in charge of the Strait of Hormuz dies in attacks – Divaina, Virakesari, Thamilan
4. “If rice stocks are hidden [in the country], rice will be imported” — The commissioner general of essential services – Aruna, Thamilan
5. Government specialist doctors request Saturdays off – Aruna, Thinakkural
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