DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Iranian gas facility set ablaze in Israeli attack; Iran launches retaliatory strikes on neighbouring countries, including Qatar; regional tensions rise, fuel prices increase | “Sri Lanka will not support any party” – Foreign Minister Vijitha [Herath] announces stance on the Middle East war | “No Arab diplomats at the president’s Iftar event; the government’s double standards have created a serious situation” – MP Mujibur points out in parliament | All-party leaders’ meeting today chaired by the president | Rs. 60 million bribe allegedly given to Mahinda [Rajapaksa]; former SriLankan Airlines CEO testifies; President’s Counsel Arsecularatne alleges his client was intimidated Thinakaran: “The government will never abandon the people, even in times of crisis” – Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath | Regional energy security: The president holds discussion with the emir of Qatar; focus also turned towards the welfare of 150,000 Sri Lankans in Qatar | “No online educational activities on the public holiday on Wednesday” – Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa | “I pray for the creation of a world filled with peace and prosperity” – The president in his Eid-ul-Fitr message | Eid-ul-Fitr tomorrow! |
Thinakkural: “Arab envoys boycotted President Anura’s Iftar event; the Iranian ambassador was also absent” – MP Mujibur Rahman | The US special envoy meets the president as the war continues in the Middle East | In a single night, Iran launches strikes on nine of the world’s wealthiest nations: “Operation Madman” shakes the Middle East | “There is no internal crisis in the country” – Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha | “A climate of fear is resurfacing in the North” – MP Srineshan | “We do not support any party in the Middle East war” – Minister Vijitha Herath Thamilan: Did Mahinda Rajapaksa receive a bribe in the Airbus deal? The CIABOC presents evidence; the Chandrasena faction firmly denies| “If Qatari facilities are attacked again, Iran’s South Pars gas field will be destroyed” – Trump warns Iran | “Sri Lanka remains neutral in the Gulf war” – Minister Vijitha [Herath] announces the government’s position | “QR registrations may increase” – Minister Bimal [Rathnayake] informs parliament | “Let us pray for a world filled with peace” – President Anura’s Eid-ul-Fitr message |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: 22 “Sandasiri” (sic) houses given close to the election to lists of friends provided by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Shiranthi Rajapaksa and the former AG – The CIABOC informs the court Divaina: “Gave Rs. 60 million from the Airbus deal to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa; Rs. 20 million also given to former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne” – Kapila Chandrasena provides statement to the CIABOC; “The statement was taken forcibly” – President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne
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Dinamina: “Rs. 60 million given to Mahinda Rajapaksa on three instances from Airbus deal” – Former Sri Lankan Airlines chief says in an affidavit; Rs. 20 million also given to former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne; money given to Mahinda Rajapaksa at Medamulana and Carlton house; investigations into Chamal Rajapaksa’s son Shamindra Rajapaksa and the suspect’s spouse; Kapila Chandrasena remanded until April 2 Aruna: “Sri Lanka is not a fun country”: Sri Lanka plunges to rank 134 in the World Happiness Report; Finland takes first place: Afghanistan is the only Asian country below Sri Lanka – A grading by the University of Oxford Anidda: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who came to eradicate corruption, is protecting a perpetrator of corruption |