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