Factseeker
  • English
  • සිංහල
  • தமிழ்
  • Fact Checked
    • All
    • Economy
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Politics
    • Health
  • Methodology
  • About Us
  • Explore Fact-Checking
  • Contact Us
  • #false

Was Anura Kumara Dissanayake attacked in Sammanthurai?

False
False

A video circulating on social media claiming that the presidential candidate of the National People's Power (NPP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was pelted with stones during a public rally caught the attention of FactSeeker.

by Anonymous |

September 19, 2024

Observing the video, FactSeeker stepped into investigate.

The video was captured at a rally that took place at the NPP rally held in Samanthurai on September13.

In the video, the organizers of the rally are seen concerned, looking at a suspicious object in the skies, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake stops his speech as security closes in. He then continues his speech as the crowd settles, as seen in the video.

The link to the videois as follows– https://youtu.be/RjwtG9P7kvA?si=cnwpGhUbIGqiXEPc

A member of the rally’s organizing committee told FactSeeker that the flying object was initially suspected to be a drone. However, the object had turned out to be a bird.

When  inquired from the Samanthurai Police Station, OIC Chief Inspector K.D.S. Jayalath said that he and other officials were present at the time of the incident. He confirmed that there was no stone pelting or mob attack.
He also stated that there were no drones flying, and that the unrest was due to a pigeon flying in the sky with a small light attached to it by a group of children.

The OIC further said that the occurrence was a common leisure time activity among children in the area. The police had also inspected two pigeons in the area, and reported that no suspicious activities were linked with the birds.

Accordingly, FactSeeker confirms that the video is not a stone attack or a mob attack on Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s public rally.

Latest updates

#misleading

Child in Middeniya did not die due to a rambutan seed stuck in the throat

July 14, 2025

#true

The news that Warangana Kekulawala won a lottery is true!

July 9, 2025

#false

Shah Rukh Khan Not Yet in Colombo: Viral Image Confirmed as AI-Generated

July 7, 2025

#fake

False Claim About Lifetime Free Entry to Dehiwala Zoo Shared on Social Media

June 25, 2025

Related Content

Shah Rukh Khan Not Yet in Colombo: Viral Image Confirmed as AI-Generated

July 7, 2025

Claim that President Anura Kumara is distributing cash gifts in partnership with the World Bank is false!

June 5, 2025

Fake Message Circulating About Free Offers from DIALOG

June 3, 2025

Viral Video Claiming Rowan Atkinson’s Death Is False

May 29, 2025

False Claim About the Spread of a Deadly Covid Variant in Sri Lanka

May 23, 2025

Reliable

Verified News.

Delivered to You.

We are an independent fact-checking team affiliated with the Sri Lanka Press Institute(SLPI).

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.

Quick Links

Home

Fact-checked

Methodology

About us

Explore fact checking

Publications

Contact us

View Contact

Topics

Fact-checked

Politics

Health

Society

Environtment

Economy

Follow Us

Copyright 2025 © FactSeeker-Sri Lanka Press Institute. All Rights Reserved. Design & Developed by Enfection