Saliya Pieris Did NOT Say that Drug Dealers “Kanchipani” & “Harak Kataa” Are Not Connected to the Murder of "Club Wasantha"

Saliya Peiris, the former chairman of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, has been the target of numerous misinformation campaigns. These false claims have often sought to undermine his credibility and professional reputation, exploiting his prominent role in legal and public affairs.

Social Media Posts

Social media posts are spreading a claim that Saliya Peiris, former chairman of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), stated that the well-known drug dealers "Kanchipani" and "Harak Kataa" have no connection to the killing of Surendra Wasantha Perera, also known as "Club Wasantha."

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Fact-Check:

Mainstream Media Review:

We searched mainstream media outlets for reports or interviews in which Saliya Peiris may have made such a statement. No reports were found in credible news sources that support this claim.

Verification with A5 News:

The viral social media posts feature the logo of an online news platform, A5 News. We contacted A5 News to verify whether they had published such a story. A5 News editor confirmed that they have not posted or shared any content related to this claim about Saliya Peiris.

Direct Response from Saliya Peiris:

We reached out to Saliya Peiris for his response regarding this claim. He explicitly denied making any such statement about "Kanchipani" and "Harak Kataa" and their involvement in the murder of "Club Wasantha."

Background Context on Saliya Peiris’ Legal Involvement:

Saliya Peiris did represent ‘Harak Kataa’ in a legal case, but his role was specific to securing safety measures for ‘Harak Kataa’ when he was extradited from Madagascar to Sri Lanka. There were concerns for Harak Kataa’s safety, given that several high-profile criminals had been killed during alleged escape attempts while in police custody. Saliya Peiris emphasised that he appeared in court on behalf of Harak Kataa's father, who requested protective measures for his son. He also highlighted that he never represented ‘Harak Kataa’ in criminal cases. More on this here.

Speaking to the Factcrescendo team, Saliya Peiris also made a broader point about the role of lawyers in the legal system. He explained that just as doctors treat all patients, lawyers are obligated to represent their clients in court, irrespective of the nature of their cases. This is a fundamental principle of legal ethics. More details can be read in a previous fact check of us. It can be reached here.

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Conclusion:

The claim that Saliya Peiris stated that "Kanchipani" and "Harak Kataa" are not connected to the murder of "Club Wasantha" is false. No such statement was made by him, and both mainstream media and A5 News have no record of such a claim. Saliya Peiris himself has denied the allegation. His involvement with Harak Kataa was limited to ensuring safety measures during a legal process and unrelated to any criminal defence.

The spread of misleading information has been a recurring challenge for Peiris, as he continues to be a vocal advocate for justice and the rule of law in Sri Lanka, making him a frequent target of online and media-based smear campaigns.