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Old Video of Pro-Israel Rally in Batticaloa Shared With False Claims About AKD Government

Misleading
Misleading

A video showing a rally in support of Israel, said to have taken place in Batticaloa—a Muslim-majority city in Sri Lanka—is currently circulating on social media with misleading claims.

by Anonymous |

April 18, 2025

The posts suggest that the rally occurred recently under the administration of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), alleging that the government not only allowed the rally but also provided police protection, thereby implying a message against the Muslim community in the country.

One such post shared with the video states:

“Is such a massive rally in Batticaloa, a city with a Muslim majority in Sri Lanka, in support of Israel, which is carrying out its activities with the aim of wiping Muslims from the world? What is the implicit message that the AKD government is sending to the Muslim people living in Sri Lanka by not only allowing this rally, but also providing police protection? Will the Muslim people understand now? Will they wake up?”

Link  : https://web.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=1253131142673116

FactSeeker’s Verification
Although the video indeed shows a rally where participants are seen displaying the Israeli flag in Sri Lanka, FactSeeker found no credible evidence to confirm that this event took place recently or under the current government.

A reverse image search conducted on a key frame from the video traced it back to May 2015. At that time, Sri Lanka was governed by the administration of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

There were no reports or official records in the mainstream media, on government websites, or on social media platforms affiliated with verified news outlets indicating that such a rally was organized or took place recently.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n26JX4PKoSA

Conclusion
The claim that a pro-Israel rally was recently held in Batticaloa with the support or protection of the current AKD-led government is false. The video being circulated is nearly a decade old, from 2015, and is now being misused on social media to mislead the public—particularly targeting the Muslim community.

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The objective and long-term goal of the FactSeeker is to provide the public with reliable and verified content in the attempt of debunking mis/disinformation. The unit, with the SLPI, is committed to contributing to improved media literacy in Sri Lanka.

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