DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Gota’s writ petition seeking prevention of arrest dismissed: Court of Appeal declares it cannot interfere with ongoing criminal investigation | “India is Sri Lanka’s trusted partner”: External Affairs Minister Jaishankar assures JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva | Open arrest warrant issued for Ven. Gnanasara Thera: travel ban imposed | Assault on Ranil’s security officer: cameraperson released on police bail Thinakaran: Fuel price surge driven by global crisis: CEYPETCO incurs losses despite Rs. 70 subsidy per litre of diesel – Chairperson D.J. Rajakaruna | 15 metric tonnes of iron seized from shipping container declared as rice import | Cameraperson accused of assaulting former president Ranil Wickremesinghe’s security officer released on bail | Court of Appeal rejects former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s petition seeking order to prevent arrest |
Thinakkural: This newspaper was unavailable at the time of publishing FrontPage Thamilan: Provincial council elections will be held soon: Tilvin Silva firmly assures India during meeting with Jaishankar | Court of Appeal dismisses former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s petition seeking protection from arrest | Journalist arrested for assaulting Ranil’s security guard; released on bail in the evening |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The [National Police] Commission halts the Police Narcotics Bureau transfers of group including Ranmal Kodithuwakku: The IGP’s request dismissed | 15 tonnes of iron in the container to be shipped overseas as rice Divaina: 196 empty artillery shells used by the army seized during attempt to smuggle them to India: The container seized at the Colombo Port; three containers smuggled previously
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Dinamina: Kehelbaddara Padme has written down the names of drug traffickers in books: names and amounts included; eight books sent to the government analyst to examine handwriting | “Do not arrest me for the Easter Sunday attack”: Gota’s writ petition dismissed without being heard | A subsidy of Rs. 70 from the government for one litre of diesel on the increased price Aruna: Investments have halted midway due to corruption in Sri Lanka – unnecessary regulations – weak bureaucracy: The US points out |
TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
Provincial council elections to be held soon, Tilvin Silva assures India
Thamilan
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva assured Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar that provincial council elections in Sri Lanka will be conducted soon.
Following a meeting between the two delegations in New Delhi yesterday, Jaishankar noted on X that discussions focused on deepening bilateral ties, reaffirming India’s support as a reliable partner for Sri Lanka’s progress and prosperity.
During the discussions, Silva explained recent constitutional developments and underscored Colombo’s commitment to maintaining robust relations with New Delhi.
Jaishankar also reportedly raised concerns regarding a political solution for the Tamil community and the formulation of a new constitution.
In response, Silva confirmed that the government is taking swift measures to hold the long-delayed provincial polls, noting that conducting the elections in phases—with priority given to Tamil-majority regions—is currently under active consideration.
Mayilathamadu-Madhavanai pasture lands to be gazetted, assures Minister Handunnetti
Virakesari Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Sunil Handunnetti affirmed that steps are underway to issue a gazette notification officially designating the Mayilathamadu-Madhavanai area as pasture land, following a presidential decision reached in agreement with the Mahaweli Authority and the Department of Forest Conservation. Speaking while chairing the Batticaloa District Coordinating Committee meeting, Handunnetti explained that tensions arose after individuals from the Ampara District encroached upon lands traditionally utilised by local dairy farmers for livestock grazing during cultivation seasons. He stated that while measures are being implemented to secure the grazing rights of livestock farmers, alternative lands within the Mahaweli zone will be allocated to the other parties to ensure a lasting solution. Handunnetti warned that certain elements are attempting to incite communal discord over the dispute, asserting that the government will not tolerate ethnic tensions and will protect the rights of all communities. Additionally, the meeting addressed the environmental damage caused by illicit mining in the Batticaloa District, with the minister confirming that the police and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau will take decisive action to curb all unauthorised sand, soil, and gravel excavation. |
High-level maritime talks held between Sri Lanka and IndiaVirakesari
High-level discussions were held in Colombo between India and Sri Lanka to review maritime concerns, bilateral issues, and opportunities to strengthen mutual cooperation in multilateral forums. The talks took place from September 29 to 30 between Dr Aquino Vimal, Additional Secretary of the United Nations, Economic and Social Division of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Dilani Silva, Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka. The Indian High Commission in Colombo confirmed on X that the dialogue covered maritime issues, oceanic reefs, bilateral relations, and coordinated engagement within multilateral institutions such as the UN. The meeting focused on further solidifying diplomatic ties and shared strategic interests across regional and global platforms. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: LNW
Investments have halted midway due to corruption in Sri Lanka – unnecessary regulations – weak bureaucracy: The US points out
Aruna, Lankadeepa
The US State Department has revealed that several investment projects in Sri Lanka have been halted due to corruption in state procurement, a lack of transparency, and the lengthy approval process of the Board of Investment.
According to the 2026 Investment Climate Statement on Sri Lanka, investors have been discouraged by unnecessary regulations, legal uncertainty, and weak bureaucracy.
The report cites the USD 3.7 billion Sinopec oil refinery project, the largest foreign direct investment in the country’s history, which was postponed in less than a year due to agreement issues with the current government.
The Adani Group’s USD 400 million, 484 MW wind power project in the Northern Province, scheduled for February 2025, and the China Harbour Engineering Company’s floating LNG power plant, proposed for December 2025, were also cited in the statement as projects that have been delayed.
Kehelbaddara Padme has written down the names of drug traffickers in books: names and amounts included; eight books sent to the government analyst to examine handwritingDinamina, Divaina Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday (1st) ordered eight notebooks, allegedly detailing drug trafficking by Kehelbaddara Padme, to be referred to the Government Analyst for handwriting examination. The suspect was arrested by the CID under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and is currently held in remand custody. Investigating officers informed the court that the notebooks were recovered during inquiries into the suspect’s narcotics network and sought an order to compare the handwriting containing names, addresses, and figures with that of the suspect. Considering the submissions, the magistrate ordered that the records be forwarded to the Government Analyst and remanded the suspect until October 15. |
A plan to attack the Dalada Maligawa and the Sri Maha Bodhiya: 21-year-old arrestedAruna, Divaina The CID arrested a 21-year-old resident of Kurunegala on Wednesday (September 30) for allegedly planning attacks on several prominent Buddhist shrines. The targeted locations for the planned November 19 attacks included the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Sri Maha Bodhi, Thuparamaya, and Rangiri Dambulla Viharaya. The arrest followed a complaint by a Buddhist monk regarding a social media group, operated by the suspect, which used a derogatory name for the Buddha and declared that its “Only goal is to eradicate Buddhism from the entire world”. The suspect was produced in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (1st) and remanded until October 15 (Divaina reports it as October 16). The CID is conducting further investigations to apprehend other individuals connected to the incident. |
Tax revenue of Rs. 2,000 billion in nine months: Achieves 85% of the annual revenue target
Dinamina
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has recorded tax revenue of Rs. 2,040 billion during the first nine months of 2026.
This reflects an 85% completion of its annual revenue target of Rs. 2,401 billion and an increase of Rs. 398 billion compared to the total recorded in 2025.
In September 2026 alone, the department collected Rs. 288 billion, demonstrating a growth of Rs. 72 billion compared to the same month in the previous year.
The department noted that this progress was driven by taxpayers’ motivation to voluntarily pay taxes, which led to an increase in the efficiency of tax administration.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Daily News
“Do not arrest me for the Easter Sunday attack”: Gota’s writ petition dismissed without being heard
Aruna, Dinamina, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
The Court of Appeal yesterday (1st) dismissed, without taking up for hearing, a writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The petition sought an order preventing his arrest by the CID and his detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
The court bench, comprising President of the Court of Appeal Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Sarath Dissanayake, stated that the court will not intervene in the ongoing investigation as a statement has not yet been recorded from the petitioner and such intervention would hinder the criminal justice process.
Following the dismissal, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, representing Rajapaksa, informed the court that his client expects to file an appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision in accordance with the Constitution.
Consequently, the court directed the petitioner’s legal team to present their submissions seeking leave to appeal on October 9.
An order from the Court of Appeal to arrest Ven. Gnanasara Thera
Aruna, Dinamina, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Virakesari, Thamilan
The Court of Appeal yesterday (1st) issued an open warrant directing the inspector general of police (IGP) to arrest Bodu Bala Sena Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera and imposed a travel ban on him.
The directives were issued in relation to his conviction and prison sentence for contempt of court.
Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda, representing Ven. Gnanasara Thera, submitted a medical report to the court indicating that his client is receiving medical treatment for an illness.
A warrant has also been issued against Ven. Gnanasara Thera for failing to appear before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court in a case filed regarding the defamation of Islam, while another warrant was also issued due to his failure to appear before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court for the delivery of the verdict concerning a nine-month prison sentence.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. 196 empty artillery shells used by the army seized during an attempt to smuggle them to India: The container seized at the Colombo Port; three containers smuggled previously | 15 tonnes of iron in the container to be shipped overseas as rice – Aruna, Dinamina, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Thinakaran
2. The [National Police] Commission halts the Police Narcotics Bureau transfers of group including Ranmal Kodithuwakku: The IGP’s request dismissed – Aruna, Divaina, Lankadeepa, Thamilan
3. Assaulting Ranil [Wickremesinghe]’s security officer: The photographer released on police bail – Divaina, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan
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