Major stories in the Sinhala and Tamil press: May 18 – May 24

Highlights the differences and nuances in reporting between Sinhala and Tamil newspapers.

Over the past week, the Sinhala and Tamil press converged in relation to six main stories. The six stories were on the: (i) 17th anniversary of the end of the war and the National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration; (ii) depreciation of the rupee; (iii) alleged theft of USD 2.5 million from the Treasury by hackers; (iv) reported rise of cybercrime in Sri Lanka; (v) global economic crisis emerging due to the US-Israel and Iran war; and (vi) ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks.

The Sinhala press exclusively featured one main story, and it was on the alleged importation of substandard coal.

The Tamil press exclusively featured three main stories, and they were on the: (i) Mullivaikkal commemorations held in the North and East, Wellawatte, and abroad; (ii) demands for accountability and justice concerning past atrocities, including enforced disappearances and mass graves; and (iii) problems faced by the Hill Country Tamil community and the increase in wages of plantation workers.