Harini did NOT criticize Diyawadana Nilame; social media posts are fabricated!

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Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, a National List Member of Parliament (MP) representing the National People's Power (NPP), has been frequently targeted by misinformation and disinformation campaigns. These campaigns often involve fabricated statements or manipulated content attributed to her, circulating widely on social media.

Fact-checks have repeatedly revealed that these claims are baseless, with no substantiating evidence from credible sources. Dr. Amarasuriya herself has denied many of these false allegations, underscoring the challenges she faces in countering the spread of misinformation.

Social Media Posts

A viral social media post claimed that Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, a National List MP of the National People’s Power (NPP), made a statement calling the behaviour of the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Tooth Relic(Dalada Maligawa) "disgusting" and that legal steps have been taken against him. The date of the statement mentioned is 21^st August.

FB | Archived

We decided to do a fact-check on this.

Fact Check

Investigation Findings:

No Verifiable Sources: There is no record of Dr. Harini Amarasuriya making such a statement in any mainstream media. The absence of this claim in credible news sources suggests that it is not based on factual reporting.

False Attribution: The logo on the viral posts is associated with Dasatha News. However, upon review of Dasatha’s website and social media channels, there is no evidence that they published or shared any such post on 21^st August or afterwards.

We checked the rallies conducted by NPP on August 21st and noticed that Harini Amarasuriya did indeed give a short speech during the Gampola rally. However, she never mentioned Diyawadana Nilame.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya's Response: Direct contact with Dr. Amarasuriya confirmed that she never made the fake statement, which had been falsely attributed to her. She explicitly denied ever commenting on the Diyawadana Nilame in such a manner.

Dalada Perahera: The final Randoli Perahera of the Dalada Perahera concluded on August 19th, marking the end of one of Sri Lanka's most significant cultural and religious events. This grand procession, held annually in Kandy, celebrates the sacred Tooth Relic housed in the Sri Dalada Maligawa. In the days surrounding this event, discussions and posts about the Dalada Perahera and Dalada Maligawa surged on social media and other platforms, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual significance of the Perahera to the Sri Lankan people. These posts likely emerged in the context of the Perahera's conclusion, as the event garners widespread attention and devotion across the country.

Read also: Dr Harini Amarasuriya Did NOT say Kandy Dalada Perahera should be held Without Elephants.

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Conclusion:

The claim that Dr Harini Amarasuriya called the behaviour of the Diyawadana Nilame "disgusting" and that legal steps have been taken against him is entirely baseless. The viral posts spreading this misinformation are not only misleading but also defamatory. It is crucial for the public to rely on verified information from credible sources and avoid sharing unverified social media content.