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Chatura Alwis left Sri Lanka & Relocated to Canada? Find out the facts...
Social media was abuzz with posts that implied that Chatura Alwis, a journalist of Derana Media Network, left Sri Lanka to settle permanently in Canada. Many had blamed Chathura for making such a move, citing that he was a loyal supporter of the unsuccessful previous Rajapaksa-led government and, therefore, he too should be responsible for […]
Social media was abuzz with posts that implied that Chatura Alwis, a journalist of Derana Media Network, left Sri Lanka to settle permanently in Canada. Many had blamed Chathura for making such a move, citing that he was a loyal supporter of the unsuccessful previous Rajapaksa-led government and, therefore, he too should be responsible for the current economic crisis of Sri Lanka.
However, has Chathura Alwis really left Sri Lanka for good? Let's look at the viral claims first.
Social Media Posts :
A photo of journalist Chathura Alwis alongside a Sri Lanka businessman from Canada, Riyaz Rouf, was shared widely, claiming to be the scene of Chathura being welcomed at the Toronto airport in Canada. It was also stated that Chathura Alwis and his family had migrated to Canada, as seen below.
Here is a report published about this news on a Sri Lankan website. Archived
Also, some pointed out that Chathura left for Canada amidst the turmoil in Sri Lanka to seek political asylum.
Below is a Tweet with the same message about Chathura migrating to Canada.
Fact Check :
We investigated social media using the keywords' Chathura Alwis' and 'Canada' to discover the veracity of these viral claims. We found a post on the 'Travel with Chathura' Facebook page with the caption 'Travel with Chathura Canada Tour.'
The post thanked Anushka and the team from CameraLk, who had been providing camera equipment for the 'Travel with Chathura' programs aired on the Derana channel since 2014, and was again appreciating the help given by providing the equipment for the tour of Canada as well.
We contacted the Derana Media Network to confirm the facts about Chathura's trip to Canada. They clarified that Chathura went to Canada to record a few video programs for 'Travel with Chathura' and 'Talk with Chathura' hosted by Chathura and that he would return to Sri Lanka after completing this work.
We also inquired about this photo from Chathura Alwis. He clarified that the visit to Canada was to record a few programs for his channel and would return soon after the completion.
Also, the official Facebook account of Chathura De Alwis shows the instances of filming done for these programs from Canada, as seen here. Archived Link
We also contacted Mr. Riyaz Rauf, an influential Sri Lankan businessman residing in Canada, who appears in the viral photo with Chathura Alwis. Mr. Riyaz explained that he was very familiar with many of the media personalities in Sri Lanka, including Chatura. As a result, and due to this acquaintance, he went to the Toronto airport to welcome Chathura Alwis, solely at his discretion. Furthermore, he verified that Chathura Alwis was not accompanied by his family when he arrived for the Canada tour this time.
Mr. Rauf also said that all these social media users who shared this photo along with a twisted narrative would soon have hard proof as well when Chathura reached Sri Lanka after his filming tasks in Canada.
Conclusion :
Our investigation shows that the photo posted on social media indicating that Derana journalist Chathura Alwis left Sri Lanka and moved to Canada permanently is false.
Derana Media Network confirms that Chathura Alwis has traveled to Canada these days to shoot the 'Travel with Chathura' program and 'Talk with Chathura Canada' for the Derana channel and that he would return to Sri Lanka soon after the completion of his filming in Canada.
