{"id":17807,"date":"2026-03-25T09:26:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T09:26:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/?p=17807"},"modified":"2026-03-25T09:26:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T09:26:51","slug":"the-viral-image-of-minister-harshana-nanayakkara-making-a-defamatory-gesture-in-parliament-is-ai-generated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/the-viral-image-of-minister-harshana-nanayakkara-making-a-defamatory-gesture-in-parliament-is-ai-generated\/","title":{"rendered":"Did the Minister of Justice Really Make a Defamatory Gesture in Parliament?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"622\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-95.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-95.png 622w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-95-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-95-305x207.png 305w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 622px) 100vw, 622px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-medium-font-size\"style=\"background-color:#b6babf91\"><a href=\" https:\/\/whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029Va5pj8o4IBh5WxNhlE0I \"> Subscribe to our WhatsApp Channel <\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A discussion emerged in Parliament recently after claims that Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara had made an inappropriate gesture towards opposition MPs. An image, said to show the alleged gesture, was also widely circulated on social media. Below is the fact-check we conducted regarding this image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Social Media Posts :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A post was shared on social media claiming that the Minister had made an inappropriate gesture in Parliament by showing his middle finger and sticking out his tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"373\" height=\"569\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-38.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-38.jpeg 373w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-38-197x300.jpeg 197w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 373px) 100vw, 373px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/p\/1GjxhqpXnP\/\">Facebook<\/a> |<a href=\"https:\/\/www.awesomescreenshot.com\/image\/59396616?key=039117e666f6959594cf9b6cfc6a220b\">Archived Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar posts continued to circulate on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-17.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17821\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-17.jpg 299w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-17-175x300.jpg 175w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"351\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-18.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-18.jpg 351w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-18-206x300.jpg 206w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"365\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-19.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-19.jpg 365w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-19-214x300.jpg 214w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 365px) 100vw, 365px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/1J6YLhCF6d\/\">Facebook<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/1HM1tnMJ5e\/\">Facebook<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/18NfKzE37z\/\">Facebook<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RKahandagama\/status\/2035039583612829785\">Facebook<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/sunandadesh\/status\/2035259527235260730\">Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These posts were circulated even on X in this manner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"371\" height=\"647\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35.jpeg 371w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35-172x300.jpeg 172w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 371px) 100vw, 371px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We carried out a fact check on this social media post .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fact Check&nbsp; :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the parliamentary session held on March 20, 2026, MP Ajith P. Perera raised a question to Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. The Minister requested two weeks to respond to the question. This was challenged by MP Ajith P. Perera, and a tense situation briefly arose in Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shortly after, MP Ajith P. Perera told the Speaker that the Minister had made an obscene gesture. However, when reviewing the full video of the session, no clear visual of such a gesture can be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LsTVu7zLtCg?si=DiZSVP6ajvt_o4ok\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MP Ajith P. Perera questioned Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara in Parliament about the decentralisation of the powers of the Attorney General\u2019s Department and the progress on establishing regional Attorney General offices. He stated that the Minister avoided providing an answer and, as he was explaining this to the Speaker, claimed that the Minister made an insulting gesture toward him. MP Perera shared a <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/uTIn8wcUvtk?si=mGP1FN4Vy4T9iYJQ\">video from Parliament<\/a> showing this incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We reviewed the parliamentary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/SRDhZSjleE0?si=YZrVNtO0c4s5CUSw\">live broadcast<\/a> and reports from mainstream media regarding <a href=\"https:\/\/fb.watch\/G0uT0UaR1W\/\">this incident<\/a>. However, none of these reports showed any visual evidence of the Minister making such a gesture. Therefore, we were unable to independently verify whether such a gesture was made or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><iframe title=\"\u0d85\u0db0\u0dd2\u0d9a\u0dbb\u0dab \u0d87\u0db8\u0dad\u0dd2\u0d9c\u0dda \u0d87\u0d9f\u0dd2\u0dbd\u0dd2 \u0d85\u0db7\u0dd2\u0db1\u0dba\u0dd9\u0db1\u0dca | \u0db4\u0dcf\u0dbb\u0dca\u0dbd\u0dd2\u0db8\u0dda\u0db1\u0dca\u0dad\u0dd4\u0dc0 \u0d8b\u0dab\u0dd4\u0dc3\u0dd4\u0db8\u0dca \u0dc0\u0dd9\u0dba\u0dd2\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uTIn8wcUvtk?start=46&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to the lack of visual evidence, we focused on verifying the image that was being circulated on social media as proof of the alleged gesture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AI-Generated Image<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The image circulating on social media was analysed using several AI detection tools. The results showed that the image was generated using artificial intelligence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"293\" height=\"636\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-42.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-42.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-42-138x300.jpeg 138w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 293px) 100vw, 293px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"354\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-15.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-15.jpg 354w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-15-207x300.jpg 207w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 354px) 100vw, 354px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"302\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-16.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-16.jpg 302w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/unnamed-16-177x300.jpg 177w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 302px) 100vw, 302px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further analysis confirmed that the image was created using Google\u2019s AI tools and contains an invisible SynthID digital watermark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"262\" height=\"882\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36.jpeg 262w, https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36-89x300.jpeg 89w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 262px) 100vw, 262px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Media Secretary &#8211; The Minister of Justice and National Integration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When contacted, the Minister\u2019s Media Secretary stated that the Minister had not made such a gesture and confirmed that the image is fake. He also mentioned that an official video from Parliament has been requested, and further clarification will be provided once it is received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Join us to learn about our fact checking investigations.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/factcrescendosl\/\"><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a><strong> | <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/factcrescendosl\"><strong>Twitter<\/strong><\/a><strong> | <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/factcrescendo_sl\/\"><strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/a><strong> | <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMODMpgswyNe-Aw\"><strong>Google News<\/strong><\/a><strong> | <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@factcrescendosl\"><strong>TikTok<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion&nbsp; :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our investigation shows that the image circulating as evidence of the Minister making an inappropriate gesture is AI-generated. As there is no clear evidence, it cannot be independently confirmed whether such a gesture was made. This article will be updated once official confirmation and further evidence become available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\n  \/* Modern Flexbox Container *\/\n  .fc-author-card {\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    background-color: #ffffff;\n    border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\n    border-left: 6px solid #e31b23; \/* Red brand accent line *\/\n    border-radius: 8px;\n    padding: 24px;\n    margin: 24px 0;\n    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);\n    font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\n    gap: 24px;\n    color: #333;\n  }\n\n  \/* Stamp Image *\/\n  .fc-author-card img {\n    width: 100px;\n    height: 100px;\n    flex-shrink: 0;\n    border-radius: 50%;\n    object-fit: contain;\n  }\n\n  \/* Text Content Wrapper *\/\n  .fc-card-content {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n    gap: 8px;\n  }\n\n  \/* Typography *\/\n  .fc-card-content p {\n    margin: 0;\n    font-size: 16px;\n    line-height: 1.4;\n  }\n\n  .fc-label {\n    font-weight: 700;\n    color: #555;\n    text-transform: uppercase;\n    font-size: 13px;\n    letter-spacing: 0.5px;\n    margin-right: 5px;\n  }\n\n  .fc-title-text {\n    font-size: 18px;\n    font-weight: bold;\n    color: #111;\n  }\n\n  .fc-author-card a {\n    color: #0056b3;\n    text-decoration: none;\n    font-weight: 600;\n  }\n\n  .fc-author-card a:hover {\n    text-decoration: underline;\n  }\n\n  .fc-result-text {\n    font-size: 18px;\n    font-weight: 900;\n    color: #e31b23;\n    text-transform: uppercase;\n  }\n\n  \/* Mobile Responsiveness *\/\n  @media (max-width: 500px) {\n    .fc-author-card {\n      flex-direction: column;\n      text-align: center;\n      padding: 20px;\n    }\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"fc-author-card\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.factcrescendo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/False.png\" alt=\"Result Stamp\">\n  \n  <div class=\"fc-card-content\">\n    <p><span class=\"fc-label\">Title:<\/span> <span class=\"fc-title-text\">Did the Minister of Justice Really Make a Defamatory Gesture in Parliament?<\/span><\/p>\n    <p><span class=\"fc-label\">Fact Check By:<\/span> <a href=\"mailto:info@factcrescendo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fact Crescendo Team<\/a><\/p>\n    <p><span class=\"fc-label\">Result:<\/span> <span class=\"fc-result-text\">False<\/span><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?phone=94771514696&#038;text=Please%20type%20your%20Name%20and%20Language:%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2481\" src=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Whats-app-sri-lanka.png\" alt=\"\"><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Subscribe to our WhatsApp Channel A discussion emerged in Parliament recently after claims that Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara had made an inappropriate gesture towards opposition MPs. An image, said to show the alleged gesture, was also widely circulated on social media. Below is the fact-check we conducted regarding this image. Social Media [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":17818,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2547,7,27,8],"tags":[4575],"class_list":["post-17807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai","category-false","category-political","category-social","tag-minister-harshana-nanayakkara"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Did the Minister of Justice Really Make a Defamatory Gesture in Parliament? - Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka English | The leading fact-checking website<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/the-viral-image-of-minister-harshana-nanayakkara-making-a-defamatory-gesture-in-parliament-is-ai-generated\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Did the Minister of Justice Really Make a Defamatory Gesture in Parliament? - Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka English | The leading fact-checking website\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Subscribe to our WhatsApp Channel A discussion emerged in Parliament recently after claims that Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara had made an inappropriate gesture towards opposition MPs. An image, said to show the alleged gesture, was also widely circulated on social media. Below is the fact-check we conducted regarding this image. 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