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Victory celebrations over Afghanistan in the final group match of the Asia Cup were soon turned into heartbreak for Sri Lankan cricket fans, with the news of cricketer Dunith Wellalage’s father’s untimely passing.
Social media was flooded with condolences for the young cricketer, and our fact-check revealed that a photo circulating on social media, claimed to show a scene from the funeral of Dunith’s father, was actually of another individual.
Social Media Posts
A series of images circulated on social media, claiming to show the remains of Dunith Wellalage’s father, as seen below.
These images were shared on Instagram as well.
Since the social media post asserts that this is Dunith Wellalage’s father, and as some of the comments were claiming the images were of another individual, we proceeded to fact-check this claim.
Fact Check
At the end of yesterday’s (18th) Asia Cup T20 match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, the Sri Lanka team manager informed Dunith Wellalage of his father’s sudden demise. See the video below, captured at that moment.
Dunith Wellalage’s father, Suranga Wellalage, passed away due to a heart attack last night. However, even though the above photo claims to show his remains circulated online since this morning (19th), Suranga Wellalage’s body was only handed over from Panadura Base Hospital by midday today (19th). That event was also reported by the leading mainstream media, as shown below.
Additionally, we checked with Suranga Wellalage’s former schoolmates and alums association members, who confirmed that the body had not yet been brought home.
Further, via his relatives, we found that his body will be kept for final respects at Mahinda Hall, Mount Lavinia, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on September 20 (Saturday) and from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on September 21 (Sunday). At 3:30 pm, on Sunday, the body will be taken to his school, Moratuwa Prince of Wales premises, and cremation will take place at 4:00 pm at Rawathawatta Public Cemetery.
Viral Photos Show A Different Individual Who Succumbed To An Accident
Meanwhile, our verification found that the photograph posted online as being Suranga Wellalage actually shows another individual.
On further inquiry, upon confirmation of his family members, we established that the person in that photo was Chinthaka Jayalath, age 34, from Sewanagala, who died when a lorry overturned near the 19th milepost on the Udawalawe–Thanamalvila road early yesterday (18th).
That incident was also reported in the news as follows:
Thus, it is clear that the image claimed to be of Dunith Wellalage’s father on social media actually shows a different individual.
How Mainstream Media Reported On Suranga Wellalage’s Death
While watching yesterday’s (18th) match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan on television, Suranga Wellalage suddenly clutched his chest while getting up to drink a glass of water, called out in pain, and sat on the floor. His wife and Dunith Wellalage’s brother then rushed him to Panadura Base Hospital.
According to hospital spokespersons, Suranga Wellalage had already passed away upon admission.
A post-mortem and inquiry into his sudden death were carried out at Panadura Base Hospital.
Suranga Wellalage’s beloved wife, Harshani Kanchana Wellalage, gave statements to the police and coroner, while Dunith Wellalage himself arrived later, returning from Abu Dhabi.
Constable J.K. Wijesinghe (97314) of Moratuwa Police Headquarters led the investigation. Related reports can be seen here, here
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Conclusion
Our investigation shows that the image that circulated on social media as the remains of Dunith Wellalage’s father actually shows another person, Chinthaka Jayalath, a 34-year-old resident of Sewanagala.
Title:Unrelated Images go Viral, Falsely claiming to Show Dunith Wellalage’s Father’s funeral!
Fact Check By: Factcrescendo TeamResult: Misleading
