Western Automobile Assembly, a newly opened motor vehicle assembly plant in Kuliyapitiya, has become the subject of numerous misleading claims on social media. These narratives have sparked confusion, with some questioning the factory\u2019s legitimacy and operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the plant is a significant development in Sri Lanka’s automotive industry, aiming to boost local vehicle assembly and create job opportunities. Verifying information from credible sources is essential to avoid being misled by false claims regarding its establishment and functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Social Media Posts <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A viral social media post claims that a recently inaugurated vehicle assembly factory in Kuliyapitiya, ceremonially opened by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, is now an empty hall with no machinery or production facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n FB<\/a> | Archived<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fact Check <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Verification:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reverse Image Search<\/strong>: A reverse image search on the viral image revealed that the photo had been circulating online for several years and was used as a stock image to showcase steel structures. The image does not depict the Kuliyapitiya factory; it belongs to Hebei Hongji Shunda Steel Structure Engineering Co., Ltd., China, a construction company specialising in steel structures. The photo on their site showcases a generic steel structure model and has no connection to the Sri Lankan factory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The website of the Chinese company can be reached here<\/a> | Archived<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Media Reports<\/strong>: Multiple media outlets have covered the inauguration of the Kuliyapitiya vehicle assembly factory, providing images and videos that show the factory is fully operational with machinery in place. These reports contradict the claim that the factory is just an empty hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXetgdUUJB_yoJC10gxuRanwoC7259K8aDhHKfeZT4X6jPQ2ccKfV04Y2PLC2kbNtdjoq5Ivfj7OuNwqMce-fVn7jwERAJUqx2a-xugVNozQfdspwCkzW6mGoIFHPMTcX_s7xmB7WKQycFUmMOVc0IWOfJOAi3ZL9zAST7rIHKeM6HadCg-iww?key=5Vn-Rg_UfEwAFiWzDDRNcA\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXcZ9DDe5vcXMkgBIzxnAZxxfKMDkd3Qb20zYhwMogDTAZou_yT_EM6SFhy-nvFFTifOZNyrcJtFYd7sTdnnKCIOWFX8TwRds71QrZ9kCatyfbWaa2h78RP5JMqIcTOUKSMwwFg9G0f-JYnp5ZtoV76B_Kv5k_eXQaZ08XCoi1scCS9uG06Emw?key=5Vn-Rg_UfEwAFiWzDDRNcA\")