Previously as well, FactSeeker verified and confirmed a fake statement that was being circulated under Vajira Abeywardena’s name with the UNP letterhead. Upon investigation, it was evident that the content of this new letter was connected to the previous fake letter, prompting FactSeeker to fact-check the new posts.

The content of the letter reads as follows:

“We extend warm congratulations to Vrai Kelly Balthazar of the National People’s Power (NPP) who succeeded in establishing power in the Colombo Municipal Council today. Especially during the discussions held over the past few days, multiple parties agreed to support a united opposition. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, and our party led this effort. Members of the three parties and other groups agreed to appoint Riza Sarook as the Mayor of Colombo. Last night, the Sarvajana Balavegaya party also expressed agreement to support the united opposition. When all arrangements had been made for the united opposition to establish power in the Colombo Municipal Council, the Commissioner’s decision to hold both open and secret voting for selecting the Mayor was unexpected. Furthermore, it appeared that some opposition factions disregarded several points previously agreed upon. The height of internal conflicts within the respective parties was visible here. Although we proposed Mr. Sagala Kariyawasam during the initial discussions to be Mayor of Colombo, the rejection of this proposal was a major reason for our failure to gain control of Colombo. The United National Party hereby informs that it will no longer collaborate with any other political party and expresses regret for having done so in the past.”

Particular attention was paid to the name “Sagala Kariyawasam,” mentioned as the proposed candidate for mayor. Currently, Sagala Ratnayaka serves as the National Organizer of the United National Party. The previously debunked fake letter also referred to this proposal. (You can see that fact-check here.)

However, Sagara Kariyawasam, who bears that surname, is the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) a completely different person.

Moreover, we confirmed that no such news has been reported in any mainstream electronic or print media in recent days.

We also checked whether this statement was published on any official social media pages or accounts of the UNP or its senior officials. It was confirmed that no such statement had been officially released.

FactSeeker observed that the UNP’s official Facebook page had informed followers that the statement circulating in the posts we examined was fake. (See here.)

UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena himself also posted on his official Facebook page stating that the statement was fake. (See here.)

FactSeeker confirms that the photo of the statement claiming to be from UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena regarding the establishment of power in the Colombo Municipal Council is fake.