A VIP security convoy to escort Anura Kumara?

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A video of a VIP security convoy was widely circulated on social media, indicating that even though the current government has rejected VIP vehicles, they are now receiving VIP security. Below is an investigation we conducted to determine the accuracy of this.

Social Media Posts :

A post was circulating on social media showing that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake travelling in a convoy of VIP vehicles.

Facebook 

Here is another video published on same regard.

We conducted an investigation to find out whether these claims are accurate.

Fact Check :

When investigating this video, which had been circulating on social media since April 2nd, we discovered that the video was taken on New Parliament Road, Battaramulla.

A comparison between the location shown in the video and the images of the location on Google Maps confirms that they are similar.

Frame From Viral Video	Google Maps (near Parliament)

However, the mainstream media reported on this incident, stating that it is a video taken during the security convoy for the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on 4th April, for a two day visit in Sri Lanka. You can refer to them below.

We attempted to contact Police Media Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Buddika Manatunga to confirm the facts, but he did not respond to our calls.

Furthermore, we made inquiries through the Parliament Police Station, and they confirmed that the rehearsal of the security convoy was held on April 2nd and was supervised by the Nugegoda Police Division. The Nugegoda Police Division also confirmed that a rehearsal of the security convoy was held.

We also inquired about this from the Ministry of Defense, and they confirmed that it was a security rehearsal conducted in connection with the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Also, on 3rd evening, the Police Media Division issued a statement regarding this, stating that the video  shows a security arrangement made due to the visit of the Indian Prime Minister.

We also inquired about this from the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, and they stated that they can’t respond to this due to security reasons.

The Police Media Spokesperson stated the following regarding the special traffic plan being implemented for the visit of Narendra Modi.

The announcement also states that a special traffic plan will be implemented on April 4th and 5th due to the visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi.

Daily Mirror

Police Media Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent of Police Buddhika Manathunga stated that as part of that plan, the road in the Battaramulla Ape Gama area will also be closed from time to time on April 5th.The above video that went viral on social media also shows the premises of Ape Gama, which is in the opposite side of the Parliament complex in Battaramulla.

Visit of Indian Prime Minister Narandra Modi

Inidan Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Sri Lanka on the afternoon of 4th April on the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The offial welcoming ceremony for the Indian Prime Minister was held at the Indpendence Square in Colombo today (5) morning.

A delegation including Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will be joining the Indian Prime Minister on this visit. The Presidential Media Division states that on the same day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat and will also participate in a meeting between representatives of the two countries.

They further stated that there are plans to exchange memorandums of understanding in the fields of energy, digitalization, security and health, as well as agreemets related to debt restructuring with Inida. Here is a statement published by the Presidental Media Division regarding this. Archived Link

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Conclusion :

The Defense Ministry confirms that the video circulated in social media stating that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake travelled in a security convoy was actually a security rehearsal conducted with the visit of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi.