Following the sudden demise of the leader of the Rathugala indigenous community, Danigala Maha Bandalage Sudha Wannila Aththo, reports began circulating across both mainstream and social media platforms claiming that a university student had been appointed as the new clan chief.

Given the intense public debate and criticism surrounding these claims, FactSeeker investigated the accuracy of the story.

The Origin of the Claim
On May 11, the front page of the Dinamina national newspaper published a report titled, “The New Indigenous Chief of Rathugala is a University Student.” The same article was widely shared across the publication’s official website and digital channels.

Simultaneously, a graphic constructed to mimic the official news template of the Ada Derana news website was widely circulated on social media, carrying a similar headline: “Rathugala Appoints Sabaragamuwa Student as New Indigenous Leader.”

The Investigation
1. Official Statement from the Rathugala Indigenous Development Association
During the viral spread of the rumor, an official press release issued on the formal letterhead of the Rathugala Indigenous Development Association began circulating online. The press release clarified that:

Nishantha Kumara—the eldest son of the late chief, Danigala Maha Bandalage Sudha Wannila Aththo—had officially been appointed as the new leader. The claims made by certain media organizations stating that the new chief’s name is “Nibhuna” and that he is an active university student are entirely fabricated.

To independently verify this document, FactSeeker contacted T.M.T. Dissanayake, the President of the Rathugala Indigenous Development Association. He confirmed the authenticity of the press release and reiterated that the new chief is not a university student.

2. Media Clarifications and Retractions
Dinamina Newspaper: On Tuesday, May 12, the Dinamina newspaper issued an official clarification, admitting that their front-page article published on May 11 regarding the new chief being a university student was erroneous.

Ada Derana Graphic: Further digital analysis revealed that the Ada Derana breaking-news template shared on social media was an edited, digital forgery. Ada Derana had not published such a report on their official website or social feeds.

Conclusion
Based on the official retractions by mainstream media, confirmation from the Rathugala Indigenous Development Association, and digital verification of forged graphics, FactSeeker confirms that the reports claiming the new Rathugala indigenous chief is a university student are False.