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Many social media users publish and share old events as current news, which misleads the public. This is a fact-checking investigation on such a post.
Social Media Posts:
A short video clip, which appears to be scenes at the end of the Ada Derana 6.55 pm news broadcast, was shared widely among social media users, claiming that the ‘Ada Derana’ news anchor Sankha Amarajith, featured in the footage, stated that the government’s Rs. 25,000 relief package for families affected by the disaster was unnecessary. The viral clip is as follows.
The responses to this video also suggested that many have assumed his comment was recent and related to the government’s relief for affected families.
Below are some other posts published with the same narrative, blaming the ‘Derana’ Channel.
We did a fact check to investigate whether journalist Sankha Amarajith actually made such a statement.
Fact Check:
To rebuild the affected areas in Sri Lanka due to the disaster, the government decided in early December to provide a grant of Rs. 25,000 to the affected families to clean their houses. Commenting on the progress of this grant, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated on December 23rd that 77% of the housing units eligible for this grant have been paid across Sri Lanka, and it is expected that 100% of these payments will be completed soon.
Meanwhile, the above video went viral, implying that journalist and lawyer Sankha Aamarajith had expressed his concern about such a large amount of money.
However, upon examining the video, it is clear that he does not mention anything regarding the government or its grant, but simply states, “In vain giving Rs. 25,000.”
Therefore, we checked the news broadcasts of Derana with Sankha Amarajith and Sithumini Gunaweera, who is the co-host, also seen in the video clip. However, we couldn’t find any recent news broadcast featuring both Sankha and Sithumini.
Through a keyword search, we found a 5-month-old news bulletin, aired on July 19th, 2025, at 6.55 pm, which resembled the background setting, clothes of the viral video and features of both these journalists. The closing statement they make at the end of the broadcast is also similar, as seen below.
News Anchor Sithumini Gunaweera
We contacted the news anchor, Sithumini Gunaweera, to confirm this further. She stated that she and Sankha Amarajith have not presented news in several months. Sithumini further clarified that a portion of a video posted on her TikTok account a few months ago is being shared, misleadingly, suggesting that it is a recent incident.
She clarified that although the recent social media posts suggest it as a statement made by Sankha Amarajith regarding the government relief of Rs. 25,000, it is actually a statement made by Sankha regarding an incident involving a person in the Derana Newsroom.
Below is the video Sithumini posted on TikTok on September 5th.
https://www.tiktok.com/@sithumini_gunaweera/video/7546618235194756359?_r=1&_t=ZS-92RJaDOBOZk
Accordingly, it is clear that the viral video was taken from the TikTok video posted by the news anchor Sithumini Gunaweera.
Below is a comparison between the final segment of the Ada Derana news broadcast of July 19th, 2025, and the segment of the viral video.
In both videos, in addition to their clothing, the position of their hands and gestures are also similar. Accordingly, it is clear that the occasions of both videos are similar.
Veteran journalist Sankha Amarajith
We also contacted the journalist Sanka Amarajith over the incident. Sankha said that it was a comment he made regarding Rs. 25,000, related to one of the Derana employees at the news recording studio, long before the cyclone Ditwah.
He also clarified that the video was taken from the TikTok account of his fellow news anchor and has shared with a misleading spin.
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Conclusion :
Our investigation shows that the video circulating on social media, which shows Derana news anchor Sanka Amarajith expressing his concern over the provision of Rs. 25,000 to clean houses for families affected by Cyclone Ditwah, is misleading. Sankha had commented, after a news recording, over 5 months ago, on 19th July, regarding a different incident.
Title:Derana Journalist Expressed Concerns Over Government’s Rs.25,000/- Relief Package? Find out the truth…
Fact Check By: Fact Crescendo TeamResult: False
