False
Cannot save Wickramaratne’s claim on low SL savings
Savings are low in Sri Lanka. In general, Sri Lanka's savings are at most 15% or 20%. In India it is 30% to 35%. In China, it is more than 50%. We do not have that.
Parliament | June 7, 2024
Posted on: 4 October, 2024
False
MP Kiriella lethargic on Sri Lanka’s lethargy in debt-restructuring
No other country in the world has taken 2.5 years like this [Sri Lanka] for debt restructuring. Every country completed that process in 1 or 1.5 years
Parliament YouTube channel | May 22, 2024
Posted on: 4 July, 2024
False
MP Thushara Indunil highly inflates the high inflation
The cost of many goods and services increased to levels that couldn’t be borne [by the people]. The cost of many goods and services increased by 300% [sic] when compared to 2020. That means, the cost of goods and services increased by a ratio of 1 to 3. The egg that children ate for Rs. 12, increased by a ratio of 1 to 5, up to Rs. 60, 65.
Parliament | February 21, 2024
Posted on: 27 May, 2024
False
President’s advisor is not “real” on SL’s growth since 1959
Sri Lanka’s per capita GDP was USD 140 in 1959. Following the economic crisis, in 2020, it stood at USD 3,474. This also shows that there has been a massive change in the income level of the country as well as the income level of the people. […] Sri Lanka has been able to achieve a level of economic growth and development that surpasses all the countries in South Asia.
Lankadeepa | March 27, 2024
Posted on: 2 May, 2024
False
State minister Pasqual goes adrift on students “drifting aimlessly”
Only 40,000 of these 400,000 students [that enter Grade 1] are given the opportunity to go to university. 90% do not get into university and are left to drift aimlessly.
Parliament of Sri Lanka | November 25, 2023
Posted on: 25 April, 2024
False
AKD overblows RW’s yahapalanaya debt
When Ranil Wickremesinghe came to power in 2015, our debt was LKR 8.5 trillion […] In 2020, the country’s debt […] stood at LKR 15 trillion […] Approximately, Ranil’s five years put the country more in debt by LKR 6.5 trillion.
JVP Sri Lanka Facebook page | October 22, 2023
Posted on: 7 December, 2023
False
MP Karunatilleke fails test on student-to-staff ratios
Although the number of academic staff is dwindling [in recent months], the annual intake of students at universities has doubled since 2017
NewsFirst | October 19, 2023
Posted on: 30 November, 2023
False
Presidential advisor fumbles stipulations on LG election delays
[…] all the local government elections held after 1991 have been postponed without being held within the stipulated time. […]
Lankadeepa | October 25, 2023
Posted on: 23 November, 2023
False
MP Godahewa off target on problem with tax targets
[…] The expected tax income for 2023 is Rs 3,130 billion [a 70% increase from 2022]. It is not something practical. Since the tax net is not functioning properly, the tax burden will fall on the same people who paid taxes in 2022. What has actually happened is that the income the taxpayers have to spend for their needs has reduced by 70%.
Aruna | October 9, 2023
Posted on: 26 October, 2023
False
MP Gammanpila raises false alarm on declining Sinhala population
"According to the 1981 census, the Sinhala population in the city of Colombo was 51%. According to the 2012 census, the Sinhala population in the city of Colombo was 28%. The Sinhala population has reduced by half. That gap has been filled by the Tamil and Muslim people who arrived from the north and east.”
Aruna | August 3, 2023
Posted on: 14 September, 2023
False
MP Weerawansa makes spurious case against the IMF
The total export income has reduced by almost 10% this year when compared to last year. This is a huge reduction. Therefore, it is clear that the economic strategy the government is following under the guidance of the IMF is not providing a remedy to bring this patient named “the economy” - who is in the ICU - out into at least a normal ward.
Official Facebook Page of Wimal Weerawansa | April 3, 2023
Posted on: 4 May, 2023
False
State Minister Siyambalapitiya’s tax paying labour force numbers don’t work
Only 120,965 persons or 2.6 percent of the labour force, who are earning over Rs.100,000 per month, are subjected to the PAYE tax.
Daily Mirror | February 11, 2023
Posted on: 16 March, 2023
False
State minister Siyambalapitiya short on facts on import shortages
…It is because this step was taken [ban imports on certain items] that essential items such as fuel, medicine and fertiliser can be imported without any shortages…
Newswire | January 26, 2023
Posted on: 23 February, 2023
False
Siyambalapitiya hugely magnifies fiscal difficulties for holding LG elections
In 2022, the government’s revenue and expenditure difference were as high as 256% or Rs. 3,058 billion. [In 2023] The government expect the revenue to be Rs. 3.45 trillion, while the expenditure will go up to Rs. 10 trillion, incurring a deficit of Rs. 6.66 trillion for the year. Thus, financial discipline is indispensable to run the economy.
Daily FT | January 21, 2023
Posted on: 2 February, 2023
False
MP Abeysinghe unrealistic on revenue estimates being unrealistic
…The [2023] budget presented this time is seeking the highest revenue in the entire history of Sri Lanka. Compared to last year, this year’s revenue shows an increase of 70%. In Sri Lanka, at no point has the revenue increased from year to year by more than 10%, 15% or 20%.... In the history of Sri Lanka have we ever generated a revenue figure that is in the range of LKR 3,000 billion? Every year, the revenue generated has been less than LKR 2,000 billion….
Parliament Hansard | November 21, 2022
Posted on: 20 January, 2023
False
President Wickremesinghe understates the government expenditure
Although the former government’s budget projected a revenue of LKR 2.3 trillion, LKR 1.6 trillion is the realistic projection of this year’s revenue. The estimated government expenditure for this year is LKR 3.3 trillion. However, due to the increase in interest rates and additional expenditure of the former government, the total government expenditure is LKR 4 trillion. The budget deficit for the year is LKR 2.4 trillion.
Daily Mirror | May 17, 2022
Posted on: 10 August, 2022
False
Former president misunderstands democracy as unconstitutional
Irrespective of who is there [in positions of power], an unconstitutional event has already taken place in the country… The other thing is that none of the 225 MPs, the current president or prime minister can take the required decisions about the country. The public has rendered their power void… the public has come to Colombo and demonstrated the people’s sovereignty outside of the constitution and have declared that “it is we have who have the power now, not you”.
Pathikada on Sirasa TV | July 11, 2022
Posted on: 21 July, 2022
False
No credit due for Sabry’s statement on bankruptcy
Some claim that Sri Lanka is a bankrupt country. Bankruptcy is not merely determined by the amount of assets the country has and the amount of responsibilities we have. Our assets are USD 400 billion, and our commitments are USD 47 billion. Therefore, in that sense we are not bankrupt. But what they are referring to is the balance of payment, the dollars required for day-to-day expenses.
Daily News | April 9, 2022
Posted on: 7 July, 2022
False
Justice Minister Rajapakshe does injustice to constitutional interpretation
“The executive presidential system can only be abolished by enacting a new constitution. This is because the president’s powers extend throughout the constitution.”
Sunday Lankadeepa | May 28, 2022
Posted on: 23 June, 2022
False
Former Governor Cabraal thrice wrong on passing the buck
During 2015-2019, Sri Lanka’s economic growth had collapsed gradually from 7% to 2%. Although foreign debt increased by USD 15 billion, foreign reserves had reduced by USD 1 billion.
News19.lk | March 23, 2022
Posted on: 28 April, 2022
False
State Minister Jayasekara not industrious on industry contribution to GDP
Industrial sector is in a huge crisis at present, every government after 77’ is responsible for this.... The industrial sector which was at all times 54%, reduced to 27%.
Ada Derana | February 4, 2022
Posted on: 31 March, 2022
False
Half-mast for minister Weerasekera’s statement on the National Flag
No one will be allowed to distort & disrespect the national flag of our Motherland. Anyone found so shall be thoroughly investigated and charged accordingly under the provisions of our Penal Code.
Official Twitter Page of Sarath Weerasekera | February 4, 2022
Posted on: 24 March, 2022
False
Governor Cabraal’s claims on tourism, travels outside the data
Tourism is a 10-billion-dollar industry, and for the last two years we have not been able to enjoy the fruits of that.
Bloomberg | February 18, 2022
Posted on: 16 March, 2022
False
Minister Rambukwella injects false glory on Sri Lanka’s Covid vaccinations
In terms of administering both doses of the vaccine, as of yesterday [January 1], we rank 4th in the world; as the highest percentage from the eligible population, we rank 4th out of 194 countries in the world.
Daily Mirror Online | January 2, 2022
Posted on: 10 February, 2022
False
President Rajapaksa errs on foreign loans
I have not taken a cent in foreign loans during my two years in office.
Newswire | January 7, 2022
Posted on: 26 January, 2022
False
Minister Bandula Gunawardana uses an incorrect calculation to compare debt
The debt stood at 2 trillion when Mahinda Rajapaksa took over the country. It stood at 7 trillion at the time he handed over the country. The debt only rose by 5 trillion in [those] 10 years. [But] The debt stood at 13 trillion when the country was handed over to us. Your [Yahapalanaya] government obtained 6 trillion in loans in 5 years.
Parliament Hansard | November 13, 2021
Posted on: 20 January, 2022
False
State Minister Alagiyawanna mixed up on reason for LP gas mix problem
This [LP gas] problem arose - especially this problem of the butane and propane composition - [because] the composition is not mentioned in the standards that have been formulated by the SLSI.
Hansard and the Parliament of Sri Lanka YouTube channel | November 29, 2021
Posted on: 12 January, 2022
False
SSP Thalduwa: Critically wrong on criticism of the president
It is prohibited to publish and exchange statements that insult the president on social media or any other media. The police is vested with the authority to take legal action against those who do so.
Divaina | January 3, 2022
Posted on: 5 January, 2022
False
MP John Seneviratne thrice muddled on debt increase claim.
At the time when Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa handed over the government, we had only 72% of foreign loans. However, soon after the Yahapalana government, when we came into power that percentage has been increased up to 96%. Therefore, we must say, it was during their 5-year tenure [Yahapalana government] have taken an enormous amount of loans.
Parliament Hansard | November 15, 2021
Posted on: 16 December, 2021
False
AKD mis-categorises expenditure in assessing Rajapaksa budget
There are 4 Rajapaksas who represent the cabinet. There is also a state minister as well. How much of funds have been allocated to that family—to the ministries they represent? The total expenditure is 5,200 billion or 5.2 trillion. However, when 5,200 million (sic) is being spent, 3,470 million (sic) is being spent within one group—within one family. That is 64% of total government expenditure.
Newfirst.lk | November 20, 2021
Posted on: 1 December, 2021
False
MP Amaraweera oversells cost of salaries and pensions
More than 85% of government revenue goes to pay salaries and pensions to public servants.
Media briefing Department of Government Information | September 1, 2021
Posted on: 7 October, 2021
False
Minister Namal Rajapaksa on COVID-19 management: declares victory in South Asia prematurely
In the South Asian Region, the country that has most successfully controlled the pandemic is Sri Lanka
Mawbima | July 12, 2021
Posted on: 22 July, 2021
False
Udaya Gammanpila at a loss on the reason for CEYPETCO losses
Due to the fact that oil has continuously been purchased at high prices and sold at low prices, the accumulated loss for CEYPETCO, as at end 2020, is Rs. 331 billion
Minister Gammanpila’s Official Facebook Page | June 11, 2021
Posted on: 15 July, 2021
False
MP Nalaka Kottegoda: wrong ranking on chemical fertiliser consumption by Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka had imported 574,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser in 2020… Sri Lanka has become the top chemical fertiliser user in South Asia. We use 284 kg of chemical fertiliser per hectare.
Daily News | May 5, 2021
Posted on: 10 June, 2021
False
Minister Lokuge: Not so strong on strength of EPF
The Employees Provident Fund has become the strongest fund in Asia today.
Parliament Hansard | February 9, 2021
Posted on: 22 April, 2021
False
DG Health Services sets up the wrong criteria for community spread of COVID-19
If it is to reach the community transmission level, the positive rate would have drastically spiraled parallel to the number of PCR tests. At present, Sri Lanka is not experiencing such a situation.
Daily Mirror | February 10, 2021
Posted on: 12 March, 2021
False
Chief Epidemiologist Samaraweera misclassifies COVID-19 spread in SL
“If positive cases are reported without the origin, then it can be identified as a community transmission.
Daily Mirror | November 9, 2020
Posted on: 19 December, 2020
False
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa miscalculates by engaging the wrong base
In the first seven months of 2020, the government's tax revenue was reduced by 40.9 percent in comparison with that same period last year.
Divaina | October 7, 2020
Posted on: 3 December, 2020
False
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa fails to account for the accounting method
“…the budget deficit which my government brought down to 5.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014, has increased to over 9.6 percent of the GDP by 2019…
2020 Appropriation Bill | November 13, 2020
Posted on: 19 November, 2020
False
Former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe: Incorrect claims with some correct figures
When I was the Prime Minister, the government revenue was LKR 150,000 million. The revenue last month was LKR 50,000 million. LKR 90,000 million is needed to pay the salaries and pensions of the public servants.
Divaina | August 3, 2020
Posted on: 5 November, 2020
False
MP Wigneswaran overstates the unemployment disparity in war affected areas
“Unemployment in our war-affected areas have exceeded 10% while the national average proportion of unemployment is less than 6%.”
Daily FT | September 12, 2020
Posted on: 29 October, 2020
False
Minister Peiris misrepresents effect of 19A on presidential immunity
As long as 19A is in force, the president has to waste his time in courts… That is why immunity is needed…
Aruna | September 8, 2020
Posted on: 7 October, 2020
False
MP Aluthgamage on agriculture: overgrows labour statistics
40% of the population is directly employed in agriculture.
Mawbima | August 17, 2020
Posted on: 24 September, 2020
False
Minister of Justice Ali Sabry: Misrepresents safeguards as gaps in the 19th Amendment.
The then IGP may not have been at fault for the Easter attack. However, if the president wants to remove him, he cannot do so under this constitution.
Lankadeepa | August 16, 2020
Posted on: 10 September, 2020
False
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa: Missing facts on Office on Missing Persons (OMP) Act
In August of 2016, without even allowing for a parliamentary debate on the matter, the Yahapalana government forcibly enacted the Office on Missing Persons Act.
Aruna | June 29, 2020
Posted on: 9 September, 2020
False
Minister of Industry Wimal Weerawansa repeats misconception on export earnings
For the first time since the open economy was introduced in 1977 by J.R. Jayawardena, the country’s export earnings exceeded import expenditure.
Mawbima | July 13, 2020
Posted on: 27 August, 2020
False
Former Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne transmits incorrect information on Malaria incidence
In 2016, I eliminated Malaria from Sri Lanka.
Divaina | June 24, 2020
Posted on: 13 August, 2020
False
Udaya Gammanpila Gives President Sirisena False Immunity Boost
“…Even if [former President Sirisena] has committed a crime, he cannot be prosecuted as he enjoys immunity in terms of Article 35(1) of the Constitution…
Udaya Gammanpila's Official Twitter | May 23, 2020
Posted on: 13 May, 2020
False
GMOA on relative rate of Covid-19 case growth in Sri Lanka: mistaken on both data and trajectory
We are in a worst situation compared to Italy at the end of the first 7 days (from 1st Local Case). Peak of the COVID-19 in Sri Lanka can be expected during New Year Season if we do not take more aggressive decisions as suggested by WHO.
Official GMOA Facebook Page | March 19, 2020
Posted on: 1 April, 2020
False
MP Gamlath feeds false fears on the UNHRC Resolution
The other dangerous consequence of co-sponsoring [UNHRC Resolution 30/1] is that this country’s ‘war heroes’ can be taken before an international court at any instance.
Divaina, Aruna | February 25, 2020
Posted on: 18 March, 2020
False
MP Kanchana Wijesekera misidentifies beneficiaries of bond transaction losses
In this statement made on 30 January 2020, UPFA MP Kanchana Wijesekara claims that 96% of the losses caused to the government treasury, through bond transactions from 2002-2015
Daily News | January 30, 2020
Posted on: 4 March, 2020
False
President is misinformed on disability data
In Sri Lanka, 20 percent of children are having a mental or physical disability.
President's Official Twitter Page | January 25, 2020
Posted on: 26 February, 2020
False
MP Ranawaka on airline debt: flying too high
Through SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka, every person in the country has been made a debtor to the value of LKR 12,500.
Divaina | August 28, 2019
Posted on: 4 February, 2020
False
MP Gammanpila out of tune on national anthem
[According to Article 7 of the constitution] Sri Lanka's national anthem is "Sri Lanka Maatha"… if anything other than the words of "Sri Lanka Maatha"
Ada | January 1, 2020
Posted on: 30 January, 2020
False
MP Weerawansa falsely attributes to the USA/MCC, plans for an east-west economic corridor published by his ministry in 2011.
…last week, the [US] Millennium Challenge Agreement was signed in Parliament. Once signed, a special economic corridor will be built from Trincomalee to Colombo Port.
Ada | November 7, 2019
Posted on: 13 November, 2019
False
Gotabaya Rajapaksa overstates land released under MR government
We are the people who released 90% of the land
Inaugural Press Conference | October 16, 2019
Posted on: 31 October, 2019
False
MP Namal Rajapaksa incorrectly uses incorrect data on education
Today 560,000 sit the Ordinary Level examination. 340,000 sit the Advanced Level examination.
Mawbima | July 11, 2019
Posted on: 15 October, 2019
False
Minister Sajith Premadasa cites outdated statistics on income disparity
While the richest 20 per cent enjoy 54 per cent of the national income, the poorest 20 per cent of the country enjoys only 4 percent of it
Lankadeepa | July 9, 2019
Posted on: 3 October, 2019
False
MP Gunawardana raises false alarm on borrowing limits
This government passed an act to obtain annual loans from foreigners without limitations.
Mawbima | August 4, 2019
Posted on: 26 September, 2019
False
MP Gammanpila incorrect on 19th Amendment
…there has been no major change from the Presidency before the 19th Amendment to the current office of the president. Only three powers of the presidency were removed by the 19th Amendment.
Divaina | June 18, 2019
Posted on: 4 September, 2019
False
MP Herath misrepresents total interest payments
According to the 2018 Central Bank Annual Report, when the total income was Rs. 1,920 billion...
Divaina | May 28, 2019
Posted on: 10 July, 2019
False
President overstates share of women in the public sector
Of [public sector employees], 70% are women.
Dinamina | March 28, 2019
Posted on: 6 June, 2019
False
Minister of health repeats misconception on Sri Lanka’s health service standings
Within the world healthcare system, the fact that the best health service is provided by Cuba and Sri Lanka has been accepted by the World Health Organization.
Mawbima | February 4, 2019
Posted on: 30 May, 2019
False
PM wrong on local law to arrest terrorists
“To take part in a foreign armed uprising is not an offence here…. there is no law to prevent you from that.”
Interview with SkyNews | April 26, 2019
Posted on: 7 May, 2019
False
MP Mahinda Rajapaksa miscalculates the increase in debt and its causes
"In the past four years, the UNP-led government has borrowed the equivalent of 50% of the total national debt that was outstanding as at the end of December 2014
The Island | January 12, 2019
Posted on: 21 March, 2019
False
Minister of Health overestimates impact of tax policy
We have acted appropriately against the use of tobacco and imposed a 90% tax on tobacco in an attempt to reduce tobacco usage.
Daily News | February 20, 2019
Posted on: 14 March, 2019
False
Minister Sagala Ratnayaka exaggerates budget allocation for health and education
On 4 February 2019, Mawbima reported that Minister of Ports and Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka made the above statement. The 2017 Central Bank Annual Report shows that:
Mawbima | February 4, 2019
Posted on: 27 February, 2019
False
President wrong on undernourishment figures
Around 16 or 17 percent of Sri Lankans are undernourished.
Lankadeepa | October 18, 2018
Posted on: 9 January, 2019
False
MP Mahinda Rajapaksa: Twice ‘FALSE’ on GDP growth
In the nine years I was in power, I increased the GDP per capita of this country by a multiple of three.
TV Derana | November 25, 2018
Posted on: 10 December, 2018
False
Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka: wrong about income, wrong about ranking
Today, Sri Lanka is a middle income country with a per capita income of US $ 13,000.
Daily News | October 3, 2018
Posted on: 19 October, 2018
False