Sri Lanka Police has issued a clarification regarding false news circulating on social media and several websites, which alleged that a special investigation was underway against SI Prasanna of Mount Lavinia for giving electric shocks to a suspect in custody. 

Issuing a statement, The Police stated that no such investigation has been initiated and described the reports as fabricated.

The Police said, per a report from the Mount Lavinia Police, on Sunday (07), a team of officers including a Sub‑Inspector attached to the Badowita Police post arrested a resident of Badowita for possession of 10.150 grams of heroin.

The suspect was later referred to the Judicial Medical Officer at Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, where he claimed to have been assaulted by arresting officers. Following examination, the JMO admitted him for residential treatment under police protection.

On Monday (08), the Mount Lavinia Magistrate visited the hospital and conducted an inspection. During this process, the suspect stated to the Magistrate that he had not been assaulted by police officers. The Magistrate subsequently ordered that the suspect be detained for seven days to facilitate further investigations.

The Police pointed out that unverified information relating to this incident has been misrepresented online, resulting in the spread of false news. (Newswire)

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The Prime Minister’s Media Division has warned the public against fake news circulating on social media using the name, photographs and video footage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

In a statement, the Media Division said fake content had also been created using the unauthorized logos of various media institutions and news websites.

According to the statement, edited videos falsely portraying the Prime Minister expressing certain views, along with fabricated social media posts featuring her photographs, have been circulated online.

The false information reportedly includes misleading claims related to business and employment opportunities, as well as the country’s economy and tax policies.

The Media Division said the fake stories had been generated using Artificial Intelligence and other modern technological tools, urging the public not to be misled and to remain vigilant.

It also warned that legal action would be taken against individuals responsible for creating and distributing such false information in a manner that harms the government and the reputation of the Prime Minister. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police have warned the public to be cautious of a false message circulating on social media that has been wrongly attributed to the Police.

The post, which urges citizens to “be vigilant” and claims to provide guidance during the country’s economic hardship, is being shared as if it were an official communication.

However, in a statement, the Police Media Division clarified that no such message has been issued by the Sri Lanka Police, either to the media or through official social media platforms.

The statement further states that all official announcements are released exclusively via the Police Media Division under formal press statements, and verified updates are shared through the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of the Sri Lanka Police.

The Police further stated that investigations have been initiated to determine whether the dissemination of the misleading post is a deliberate and coordinated act by individuals or groups.

The public has been urged to exercise caution, discernment, and sound judgment when encountering or sharing such content online. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police says a letter has been sent to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) requesting necessary action against the Hiru Media Network for continuously broadcasting unverified and misleading news reports.

Speaking to Newswire, Police Media Spokesman, ASP F.U. Wootler, said that the TRC was informed of the findings revealed during the investigation into the matter.

Accordingly, the TRC, as the proper authority for issuing broadcasting licenses, has been requested through the letter to take appropriate future measures. 

The move comes amid a series of public clashes between the government and Hiru Media Network, with authorities repeatedly accusing the broadcaster of airing unverified and misleading reports. (Newswire)

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Police Media Spokesman ASP F. U. Wootler warned that strict legal action will be taken against individuals who circulate false and unethical news at this moment, when the entire nation is united in facing the disaster situation.

He noted that several complaints have already been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the circulation of news that causes fear and unrest among the public, and that the Computer Crimes Division has commenced investigations into these complaints.

ASP Wootler made these remarks while addressing a media briefing held today (01) at the Tri-Forces Headquarters.

He further pointed out that, while the government is committed to continuously maintaining services and supplies for the safety and well-being of the people in the post-disaster period, certain individuals have shown a tendency to circulate unverified and false news through social media.

Issuing and publishing statements that cause fear and unrest among the public is a serious wrongdoing, and the circulation of false information is a punishable offense, the Police Spokesman emphasized.

Therefore, on behalf of the Police Department, he appealed to the public not to circulate false and unethical news during this disaster situation, when the nation must stand together.

He also noted that reports of certain crimes have been received from affected areas, including relief centers. In accordance with the Penal Code of Sri Lanka, strict legal action will be taken against anyone committing offenses such as rape, unlawful entry, theft, and robbery. He stressed that the government expects the honorable contribution of all citizens to the unified operation being carried out primarily for the welfare of disaster victims.

ASP Wootler further stated that the Police Department has taken several important and urgent measures to ensure the safety of foreign nationals currently in Sri Lanka. Tourists facing any issues may contact the Director of the Tourist Police Division via 0718591894, 0112421070, or the hotline 1912, or reach the Airport Tourist OIC at 0718596057 and the Airport Duty OIC at 0718591640.

Additionally, under the guidance of the Inspector General of Police, a special operations room functioning 24 hours has been established at Police Headquarters. The public may contact 0718595884, 0718595883, 0718595882, 0718595881, or 0718595880 to report any issues or concerns related to disaster-affected individuals. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has refuted reports claiming that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had disposed of gifts presented by supporters.

In a post on ‘X’, the SLPP media Unit said that the news circulating on social media has been published based on fabricated, false facts.

The clarification comes after posts were shared on social media claiming that gifts presented to Mahinda Rajapaksa had been disposed of by his team over security concerns. (Newswire)

The following news circulating on social media has been published, based on fabricated false facts.

ව්‍යාජ පුවතක් පිලිබඳ අනාවරණය.!
Fake news alert.!
போலி செய்தி.! #fakenews #false #News #politics #NR #NamalRajapaksa #Lka pic.twitter.com/qrthnXp1zI

— Namal Rajapaksa Media (@Media_NR) August 21, 2025

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The Department of Government Information has warned the public of a false statement circulating online, claiming that 15 April 2025 has been declared a government holiday. 

Issuing a statement, the Department of Government Information said the department’s letterhead has been fraudulently used in the false statement.

The department further said that the government has not issued any official statement declaring 15 April 2025 a government holiday. 

The Department of Government Information clarified that the document circulating on social media in this regard is false. (Newswire)

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National People’s Power (NPP) MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi informed Parliament today that her Parliamentary privileges have been violated due to false news published by a prominent local media institution. 

MP Kottahachchi said the media outlet had published in both its English and Sinhala media platforms an article claiming ‘First-time MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi has said she was asked not to speak to the media by her party’.

Raising the matter in Parliament today, the NPP MP said the news had been circulated widely on social media and print media, emphasizing that it was false. 

MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi said her privileges have been violated by the publishing of such baseless, unconfirmed, and false news.

As such, she requested the Speaker to refer the matter to the Parliament’s Committee on Privileges for a comprehensive investigation and to take appropriate action in this regard.

Responding, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne said the matter will be referred to the Parliament’s Committee on Privileges. (Newswire)

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A complaint has been filed at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against misinformation being spread on National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi on social media. 

Attorney-at-Law Namal Rajapakshe, who filed the complaint on behalf of MP Kottahachchi, told the media that it had been found that a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) activist was behind the slander.

Upon being inquired by the media, lawyer Rajapakshe said the SLPP activist was spreading false information targetting the reputation of the female MP, making false claims that she had visited a hotel with him for money.

Rajapakshe reiterating that the statements were false, called on politicians to act respectfully, noting that MP Kottahachchi is a woman, a wife, and a mother of young children.

Stating that it was a personal attack for political vengeance, he added that the CID has been requested to conduct a comprehensive investigation and initiate legal action against those found guilty.

Watch : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrGDgm-euyo (Newswire)

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A fake news article titled “Janadhipathi Pradhanaya,” claiming to report on a government aid program, is currently circulating on social media, along with a fraudulent link to access the article, the government said.

The Department of Government Information issued a warning, stating that any such decision by the government would only be announced through official government media briefings.

The public has been urged to exercise caution, and social media users are advised to stop sharing such misinformation. (Newswire)

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Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara has issued directives to initiate action against those spreading false information on reforms pertaining to Sri Lanka’s labour laws.

Taking to Twitter, Minister Nanayakkara revealed that public consultations with regard to the reforms to the country’s labour laws are currently underway.

He further stated that at a time like this, certain organised groups are creating unnecessary tension among the general public by sharing false information on social media.

“I advised the Commissioner General of Labour to request the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate such individuals and groups,” he added. 

The Minister’s directives come after false information was found to be circulated on social media claiming that the ministry has completed creating a new labour law which largely violates the rights of workers. (NewsWire)

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